T20 World Cup 2021: Kieron Pollard Gives Update About Andre Russell's Fitness Ahead Of Super 12 Match vs England
Published - 23 Oct 2021, 05:52 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:59 AM
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard has been sweating on all-rounder Andre Russell’s fitness as their T20 World Cup opening game against England nears. The 2016 champions take on Eoin Morgan’s side, who they defeated in the final then, on Saturday evening in Dubai.
Russell didn’t play in the latter matches of the IPL 2021 for KKR due to a hamstring injury. He did mark his return in the warm-up game against Afghanistan, wherein he scored 11 runs and picked up a wicket in his two-over spell.
A day before the game, Kieron Pollard stated they’d make a call only on the day of the match about whether Russell should be fit for the England encounter.
“He (Russell) played in that warm-up game a couple days ago, and it was just like a trial for him because he hadn’t played a cricket match in about three weeks, three to four weeks. Let’s see what transpires in this last (training) session,” Kieron Pollard said.
2016 final is definitely going to be in the back of England’s minds: Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard reckons that the 2016 final and Carlos Brathwaite smashing four consecutive sixes to Ben Stokes will have an effect on the England team but not the West Indies.
He asserted that the West Indies side takes a lot of pride in their never-give-up attitude, and would be looking to do the same this World Cup.
“In terms of having a bearing (on Saturday’s match), I don’t think so, but it’s definitely going to be in the back of their (England’s) minds. I thought what Carlos did in those four deliveries in that last over, it’s unbelievable. It’s something that as a team we actually saw last night, and it brought goosebumps back to us.
“For us to be in that situation and get over the line, it shows that sort of never-say-die attitude. We as a team, we look forward to trying to replicate winning the entire tournament, but those sort of moments sort of stick with us,” the West Indies skipper added.
After England, West Indies will take on South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Australia.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021: Pakistan Announces 12-Man Squad For The Battle Against Arch-rivals India
