Windies Captain Kieron Pollard will join the Steelbacks for the middle stages of the 2020 Vitality Blast.
The powerful allrounder brings an incredible amount of experience to the side, having played 499 T20s, more than any other player in world cricket.
“Now visa criteria permit I see this as a wonderful opportunity to be back in England again playing in the action-packed Vitality Blast tournament. I want to thank Northants for welcoming me to their group of exciting players.” Pollard said.
“I know they have some amazing fans and I look forward to entertaining them and bringing more success to the club.”
Captain in Josh Cobb was looking forward to welcoming Pollard to The County Ground.
“It’s really exciting to have a player with the quality of Pollard joining the Steelbacks. His stats are unbelievable, I think it’s only Chris Gayle who’s scored more runs than him in T20 cricket, so to have him with us is huge.”
The 6 foot 4 West Indian has been a prolific run scorer in T20 competitions around the globe and boasts an eye-watering career record. His 9,966 runs have come at an average of 30.85 and with a strike rate of over 150 runs per hundred balls. With a highest score of 104 and 49 half centuries to his name, Pollard adds genuine firepower to the Steelbacks’ middle order.
“I’ve spoken to many people about Kieron and the biggest factor you get from everyone is that he’s a winner, he’s got a fantastic record in winning t20 comps, just an absolute competitor.” Head Coach David Ripley said.
“It helps the teams he plays for that he can bowl the big overs, field in key positions and whack it out of any cricket ground in the world.”
The Steelbacks are Pollard’s 30th professional club and his first return to English domestic cricket since 2011. Josh Cobb says Pollard’s experience in particular will be an asset to the group as a whole.
“He’s played 500 T20s in his career so to have that experience for the group and myself to learn from is great.” Cobb said.
“We’ve actually won a trophy together before at the Dhaka Gladiators, though I’m not sure he’ll remember that, so hopefully we can get another one together this year in the Blast.” Cobb said.
Northamptonshire’s Director of Cricket Nigel Felton met with Pollard in the West Indies.
Pollard will join the squad for 8 games through the middle of the tournament, beginning with the Steelbacks’ first home fixture on Friday the 5th of June, subject to NOC approval from Windies Cricket. He’ll then lead the Windies as they look to defend their World T20 title in October.
“Of course as captain of the West Indies team and defending champions I have one eye on the ICC T20 World Cup later this year in Australia, but I can assure you my focus will be 100% on winning games for Northants when I arrive in June.”
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