If Players Don’t Show That Attitude, They May Get The Boot: Kieron Pollard Warns The Players Ahead Of Next Year's World Cup

Kieron Pollard-led West Indies haven’t made the desired start to their tour of New Zealand, losing the T20 series convincingly. West Indies, who are not only the defending T20 champions but also been it twice, could not deal with the quality that New Zealand showed across departments. With the tourists surrendering the series, Kieron Pollard said that the players need to raise their game ahead of the next year’s tournament.

While the West Indies suffered a collapse in the first T20I in Auckland after a brisk start, Kieron Pollard finished it strongly as they posted 180 in 16 overs. On the other hand, the second one turned out to be a one-sided affair as Glenn Phillips’ hundred lifted New Zealand to an imposing 238 and in response, the visitors fell 72 runs short of the score. The third T20 international resulted in a washout due to rain, denying the Caribbeans a shot at a consolation victory.

Kieron Pollard felt disappointed at the West Indies not being able to compete well and win the series. The towering all-rounder lamented the vastly different conditions in New Zealand and not getting enough to practice in the middle – the reason that they struggled and got severely outplayed. West Indies last played white-ball cricket in March when they won the T20 series in Sri Lanka.

“Obviously disappointed. As a unit, didn’t expect to be outplayed this badly. Onus was on us to compete and win the series. The conditions are totally different to where we come from. We didn’t have enough time to practice, to get middle wicket practice, like that, which is why it’s been hard to win in New Zealand. Fielding is an attitude,” Pollard told ESPN Cricinfo.

We don’t want to feel like laughing stocks in the dressing room: Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard further said to indicate their sloppy fielding effort that if the West Indies do not show dedication and intent, they will make the job challenging for themselves. Hence, instead of feeling like laughing stocks, they have to address their issues and come back well. Pollard stressed that with the T20 World Cup hovering, players have to step up or they risk getting dropped.

“That’s the only time it’s 11 vs 2 on the park. And if you don’t show the intent to want to do it, it’s going to be difficult. So as individuals, we have to look in the mirror. We don’t want to feel like laughing stocks in the dressing room. We have an opportunity now to think about it and come back. Next year is very crucial with the World Cup coming up. So if players don’t show that attitude, they may get the boot,” the 33-year old added.