MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – West Indies batting all-rounder Kieron Pollard says the touring side will be very determined to beat Australia in the fifth and last One Day International (ODI) tomorrow (tonight Caribbean time).
The big-hitting Pollard has led the West Indies batting in the series so far but Australia hold a winning 3-0 lead and the 22-year-old Trinidadian is unhappy that his efforts have not been able to translate into a West Indies win so far in the series.
“Basically I’ve been happy with my performances so far, but when you perform you really want the team to win,” he said yesterday.
“Unfortunately we have not won any matches so far so this last one will be vitally important for us. If we could win this last game the series would be 3-1 and it would be great momentum going into the T20 Series. That would give us great confidence,” he said.
Pollard has revealed he is enjoying his time in the maroon Windies uniform. The powerfully-built six-footer has been in good form with both bat and ball and he hopes — with one match to go on Friday night – they could bring joy to Windies fans.
This has been a breakthrough tour for Pollard, who has put in some career-best performances.
Last Sunday at the Gabba, he smashed 62 off 55 balls as the Windies made their highest score so far.
In the first match at the MCG he took three for 45 and in the rain-affected third match at the SCG, he sent down nine tight overs for just 26 runs.
“West Indies fans are very passionate about the game and they love the players. We want to repay them for the faith they have put in us. I really want to perform for the West Indies and the West Indies fans. It has been a rough road for me in the early part of my career but I can see a brighter road and I want to take it in stride and look to improve.
“I want to continue my performances for a long me to come. The fans always come out and supported the team and I want to do well for myself, the team, my family and the fans – to make everyone happy,” said Pollard, who has gathered 125 runs in the series so far.
The Windies trail 0-3 with one match being washed out.
Pollard said the aim in the camp is to win tomorrow and gain momentum ahead of the two-match T20 International Series, which starts on Sunday.
“We need to hit the ground running in the T20s and get a win under our belts. The Australians have boasted of how they have had an unbeaten summer so far … Hopefully we can rally among ourselves and go out there and get a win,” he said.