By Roger Seepersad
Copyright trinidadexpress
Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) skipper Nicholas Pooran has thrown his full support behind veteran all-rounder Kieron Pollard’s criticism of persistent jeers from Caribbean fans.
He described the behaviour as “really disappointing” even as the Trinidad-based franchise celebrated their record-extending fifth Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title on Sunday night.
Pooran, coach Dwayne Bravo and stand-in West Indies T20 captain Akeal Hosein were part of the TKR contingent that had the Piarco International Airport arrival terminal buzzing yesterday on a day the country also welcomed home World Athletic Championships javelin champion Keshorn Walcott and silver medallist in the 400m Jereem Richards.
Greeted by tassa drummers, the TKR contingent was mobbed by fans eager to meet the players after their triumph in Guyana on Sunday night.
Though he was not part of the returning contingent yesterday, Pollard, 38, played and instrumental role in TKR’s tense three-run win over the hosts Guyana Amazon Warriors in Providence.
He hammered three towering sixes in a 12-ball 21 to drag his side to 133 for seven off 18 overs, before clutching three vital catches to help restrict the hosts to 130 for eight.
The Player of the Tournament capped a stellar campaign with 383 runs at 54.71 and a blistering 174.09 strike rate, but his joy was tempered by what he described as “boring” boos that trailed him throughout the tournament.
“One thing I’ll say is that the booing in the three countries in the Caribbean where we have played is boring now,” Pollard said following the final.
“We are still the laughing stock of cricket. You have a guy who has represented the entire Caribbean over a period of time, putting them on the map in a format, but yet still, he is not appreciated. I’m not bitter, but I feel sorry—not for myself.”
The former West Indies captain reminded supporters of his decade-long service to regional cricket.
“Kieron Pollard has played cricket—that’s what I know. God has given me a talent. I’ve represented my family and my country. I don’t politicise things. I do it because I love the game. I love the sport, and this means a lot,” he said.
Pollard right
Pooran, TKR’s in-form batter and a key figure in their campaign, said Pollard’s frustration resonated with many players.
“I heard what he said and he’s absolutely right,” Pooran told reporters at Piarco International Airport when members of the team arrived in Trinidad with the CPL trophy in hand yesterday.
“It’s too long now where we continue to hate on our own people. The region is really small. We compete with the rest of the world and yet still, when someone is great and doing really well, we find a way to bring them down. For us, that’s really disappointing,” said Pooran.
“The boos, we can tolerate it as players. But from a fan’s perspective, we still represent West Indies at some point in our career. And the same people will support us. So why when we play for Trinidad versus Guyana or any other islands, they’re booing us. They’re booing him especially. That’s really disappointing. I just think that sports bring everyone together. CPL brings everyone together. We see that,” Pooran continued.
He urged supporters to use the tournament’s spirit of unity as a force for good rather than division.
“Instead of using that for hatred or trying to bring someone down, at the end of the day, we’re human beings. We can come together as one,” the TKR skipper added.
Inspiring the next generation
The boos aside, Pollard, who has represented Barbados Tridents (now Royals), St Lucia Stars (now Kings) and TKR in the CPL, is hoping his example inspires the next generation cricketers to global stardom.
“I want to come out and not only show the youngsters but also show the Caribbean that if we work hard for something, things tend to happen,” he said. “I just want the youngsters of the entire CPL and the Caribbean to work hard so we can put cricket where it’s supposed to be for us as West Indians. As a West Indian, it’s disappointing. So, for me to just come out and compete, have fun, and try to teach as I go along, that’s what’s important.”
The veteran also made clear he is not yet ready to call time on his playing career.
“I can’t tell the future. I can only deal with what’s in front of me,” he said. “I have a flight coming up, so I need to get home to the kids and enjoy some time at home. I’ve been on the road for the entire year, so I owe it to them. Let’s see what happens at the end of the year. I’ll still be playing ILT20 in Dubai, so that’s the only thing I can tell you at this point in time.”