It Has Been An Issue That Has Been Plaguing Us For The Last Couple Of Years – Kieron Pollard On The Poor State Of Fitness In West Indies Team

West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard has said that the fitness issue “has been plaguing” the team for the last couple of years.

West Indies National Cricket Team players have been struggling to maintain good fitness levels and the state of fitness in the squad has been very poor in recent times.

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Star spinner Sunil Narine was not included in the West Indies squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and according to the reports, the main reason behind it was his lack of good fitness. Also, swashbuckling batsman, Shimron Hetmyer was not included in the upcoming series against Ireland and England after he failed to meet the fitness standards set by the team.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo Pollard said that poor fitness levels sometimes hinders the process of selecting the best players in the squad.

“It has been an issue that has been plaguing us for the last couple of years. One way to look at it is, the selection policy, the fitness policies are there. Guys know exactly what is needed to represent the West Indian team. Sometimes, as individuals, we take it for granted. Yes, sometimes it hinders the process of selecting the best players at the given available time,” he asserted.

“I will also say that it’s an individual thing, they are supposed to pride themselves on being fit, performing and doing what is necessary for the team. When these things tend to happen, as an individual, I am sure it doesn’t bode well to us too.

“Again, this is something I take very personally – fitness – and me being not able to participate because of injury – because that doesn’t go too well with myself,” Pollard added.

For Me, As An Individual, The Most I Could Do Is Try To Make The Guys Understand The Importance Of Fitness – Kieron Pollard

All-rounder Kieron Pollard also said that the best he can do is make players understand the importance of fitness. He further explained the issues the West Indies players face after the tour.

“For me, as an individual, the most I could do is try to make the guys understand the importance of fitness. When we are on tour, I can safely say there is no issue as to when the guys have to do their stuff in terms of what is required for the team and when they have to train in schedules.

“We tend to have these conversations, but I think the difficult part is when the guys leave from tour with responsibilities and with instructions and, sometimes, they don’t follow it. And then they come back on tour and they start from ground zero,” he stated.

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