BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Pinch-hitter Kieron Pollard sent a stern warning to Australia yesterday ahead of the upcoming five-match one-day series, when he plundered a magnificent 155 in a practice game at the 3Ws Oval.
The limited overs specialist slammed 10 fours and 10 giant sixes off just 121 balls, to haul Denesh Ramdin’s side out of trouble at 25 for five and propel them to 313 for eight off 50 overs.
Darren Sammy’s side replied with 283 off 50 overs.
Pollard put on 196 for the sixth wicket with Ramdin whose 59 required 70 balls.
Pollard, who struck his maiden ODI hundred last December against India in Chennai, said he relished the situation he was confronted with when he arrived at the crease.
“It was the kind of position in which I have found myself on a number of occasions in the past and I wanted to handle the situation differently,” he said.
“I have been working on a number of things in my game. The team was in trouble, and I went out there and tried to stick it out a bit, hang around a bit, and see how it unfolded from there.”
Pollard is expected to play a key role against the Australians in the one-day tour which bowls off on March 16 in St Vincent with the first of three matches at Arnos Vale.
Though the numbers do not support it – he averages 23.68 from 51 ODIs – Pollard is an explosive striker of the ball who can be dangerous in the latter stages of the innings.
He said he was looking forward to the Australia series and would try to use the preparation to garner success.
“I am happy to play whatever role the team needs from me. I just want to be able to adapt to different situations and different circumstances,” he said.
“Australia are a very competitive team, so they will be looking to come at us hard. But we just have to take on board all of the preparation that has been put in place for us and it into the series and try to do our best.”
