ADELAIDE, Australia, CMC – Out-of-favour, hard-hitting West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard touched down in Australia on Sunday for its Twenty20 Big Bash, expecting to be one of the headliners for the glitzy summer tournament.
The 22-year-old Pollard is one of four West Indies players who will turn out in the tournament the others being captain Chris Gayle, effervescent all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and discarded batsman Dwayne Smith.
Pollard, who will play for South Australia, said despite his reputation as an aggressive batsman, he would try to bring a measured approach to his game.
“I have come down here with a reputation of big hitting but I intend to play each ball on merit and don’t just go out there and slog,” the right-hander said.
“I am new to this environment and to the players and will be looking to settle down quickly. I have read about the players on the internet and I will be trying to get to know them very quickly.
“This is a marvellous opportunity for me and just as the Champions League presented a marvellous opportunity and I took full advantage, I will be looking to do likewise here.”
Pollard came to prominence in the Champions League featuring the club champions from various countries with an innings of 54 off 18 deliveries. He hit 14 sixes overall in the competition and has an impressive Twenty20 strike rate of 143.
The explosive Trinidadian said he was looking forward to exploiting the boundaries at the Adelaide Oval.
“I have noted the very short square boundaries and I am hoping that I can do well for my side,” Pollard said.
Pollard arrived early morning and by afternoon he was already having a knock in the middle at the Adelaide Oval.
South Australia, known as the Redbacks, will open the tournament against Retravision Warriors at the WACA on December 29.