Cricket

Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), the perennial favorites in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), have faced a challenging season in CPL 2024. Despite injuries to key players like Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, and Andre Russell, captain Kieron Pollard remains optimistic.TKR has won five of their eight matches, placing them fourth in the standings. Pollard acknowledges the team's performance and the importance of qualifying for the playoffs. He also highlights the increased competitiveness of the tournament, with all teams playing at a high level.Despite the challenges, TKR has unearthed new talents like 21-year-old Shaqkere Parris and 27-year-old Keacy Carty. Parris has impressed with his batting, earning praise from former India spinner R Ashwin. Pollard commends Parris' progress but emphasizes the need for young players to continue developing their skills.Pollard also expresses a desire for more local players from Trinidad to join the TKR squad. He believes that the under-23 tournament provides an opportunity for local talent to emerge. He hopes that players like Parris and Nathan Edward can inspire future generations of Trinidadian cricketers.

Former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard showcased his exceptional batting prowess in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Tuesday, leading Trinbago Knight Riders to a thrilling four-wicket comeback victory over St Lucia Kings in Gros Islet.Chasing a challenging target of 188, Trinbago found themselves in a precarious position, requiring 27 runs off the last 12 balls. However, Pollard stepped up to the plate, unleashing a blistering unbeaten half-century to turn the tide in his team's favor.Facing the penultimate over bowled by Matthew Forde, Pollard unleashed his power-hitting abilities, smashing four sixes in five balls. The six balls of the over yielded a staggering 24 runs (0,6,0,6,6,6), leaving Trinbago with just three runs needed off six balls.Pollard reached a whirlwind half-century, finishing with an unbeaten 52 off just 19 deliveries. His match-winning knock earned him the well-deserved 'Player of the Match' award. Akeal Hosain (5 not out) sealed the victory with a boundary off the first ball of the final over.The triumph marked Trinbago's second win in the tournament, bringing their points tally to four from three matches. They currently occupy third place in the six-team leaderboard.Pollard's heroics highlighted his enduring impact on the game of cricket. Despite retiring from international cricket earlier this year, he continues to showcase his exceptional skills in franchise-based leagues around the world.

Southern Brave's thrilling two-wicket victory over Trent Rockets at Utilita Bowl propelled them to the top of the table, level on points with Oval Invincibles. Kieron Pollard's sensational hitting proved pivotal in the triumph.Pollard, who had struggled initially, unleashed a barrage of sixes against Rashid Khan, dispatching five consecutive deliveries over the boundary. His 45 runs from 23 balls ignited the Brave's chase.Trent Rockets had posted a competitive 126 for 8, with Tom Banton's early fireworks setting the tone. However, John Turner's impressive spell of fast bowling, including the dismissal of James Vince, kept the Rockets in check.The Brave's pursuit began smoothly, with Alex Davies and Andre Fletcher putting on 43 for the first wicket. But the innings faltered after Davies' dismissal, and the Rockets threatened to seize control.Pollard's heroics turned the tide, and Chris Jordan's composure in the final over sealed the victory. Jordan also impressed with the ball, claiming three wickets for 22 runs.Pollard, named the Meerkat Match Hero, acknowledged the challenge of facing Rashid Khan but expressed satisfaction with his calculated approach. He credited his success to picking the right line and length and maximizing his strength.The victory marked a significant moment for Southern Brave, who now share the top spot with Oval Invincibles. Pollard's match-winning performance highlighted his exceptional hitting ability and the team's resilience under pressure.

Kieron Pollard's Monstrous Six Nearly Takes Out Commentators at 'The Hundred'The inaugural edition of 'The Hundred' tournament in England has witnessed some extraordinary hitting, and Kieron Pollard's colossal six at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Monday nearly had disastrous consequences for the commentators.Representing Southern Brave, the West Indian power-hitter unleashed a thunderous blow off Welsh Fire's Haris Rauf, sending the ball soaring towards backward square leg. The commentary box, situated at ground level in that direction, was directly in the firing line.As the ball hurtled towards the glass window, commentators Kumar Sangakkara and Robert Croft instinctively ducked for cover, their evasive maneuvers captured on camera. Fortunately, the ball narrowly missed the window and struck the electronic boundary board instead.Pollard's six was a testament to his immense power and timing. He ended his innings with 17 runs off 12 deliveries, contributing to Southern Brave's total of 139.In response, Welsh Fire struggled to keep up with the pace, eventually being bowled out for 97 with five balls remaining. The comprehensive 42-run victory gave Southern Brave a resounding start to their campaign.The incident involving the commentators highlighted the potential dangers associated with the high-octane nature of 'The Hundred.' The tournament's shorter format and smaller boundaries encourage aggressive batting, leading to the possibility of balls flying into unexpected areas.However, the quick reflexes of Sangakkara and Croft prevented a potentially serious accident. Their evasive action served as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in cricket, especially when the ball is traveling at such high speeds.

MI New York Secures Playoff Berth in Major League Cricket 2024Captain Kieron Pollard's heroics propelled MI New York into the playoffs of Major League Cricket 2024, as they defeated the Los Angeles Knight Riders by four wickets in Dallas on Sunday.Chasing a modest target of 131, MI New York rode on Pollard's unbeaten 33 off just 12 balls to seal the victory with three overs to spare. The West Indian all-rounder unleashed his power-hitting prowess, smashing three consecutive sixes off Spencer Johnson in the 15th over.Pollard's first six sailed over the bowler's head, while the second cleared the square leg boundary with ease. Johnson's attempt to bowl a yorker backfired, as Pollard dispatched the ball over mid-wicket for another maximum.The sixes not only propelled MI New York towards victory but also had an unexpected consequence. The third six struck a female fan holding a MI New York flag on the right shoulder.After the match, Pollard and Nicholas Pooran sought out the fan, expressing their concern and apologizing for the incident. They signed autographs, took selfies, and even offered words of comfort. Pollard urged the fan's husband to "do what a man needs to do" to take care of her.MI New York's victory completed the playoff lineup, while the Los Angeles Knight Riders were eliminated on net run rate. MI New York will now face the Texas Super Kings in the Eliminator on Wednesday.

Jasprit Bumrah's Versatility Shines as He Turns Leg-Spinner in Net SessionJasprit Bumrah, the Purple Cap holder of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, has showcased his exceptional bowling prowess with 13 wickets in just 7 matches. However, in a recent net session, Bumrah surprised everyone by donning the role of a leg-spinner and challenging one of T20 cricket's most feared hitters, Kieron Pollard.Despite the change in bowling style, Bumrah's skill and accuracy remained evident as he deceived Pollard with a well-executed leg-spin delivery. The video of this light-hearted battle, shared by Mumbai Indians on social media, has garnered much attention.Bumrah's versatility is a testament to his exceptional talent and adaptability. While he has primarily made his mark as a fast bowler, his ability to bowl spin effectively demonstrates his all-around capabilities.In the current IPL season, Bumrah has been a key contributor to Mumbai Indians' success. With an economy rate of under 6 runs per over, he has been the most economical bowler in the tournament. His ability to control the run rate and pick up crucial wickets has played a significant role in MI's three victories so far.As Mumbai Indians prepare for their upcoming match against Rajasthan Royals, Bumrah's versatility and match-winning abilities will be crucial. His ability to adapt to different situations and contribute in multiple ways makes him an invaluable asset to the team.

Mumbai Indians' Tim David and Kieron Pollard have been penalized for violating the Indian Premier League's (IPL) code of conduct during their match against Punjab Kings. The duo was fined 20% of their match fee for committing a Level 1 offense under Article 2.20, which prohibits conduct that goes against the spirit of the game.The specific nature of the offense was not disclosed in the IPL's media release. However, Article 2.20 states that the severity of the offense is determined based on factors such as intent, recklessness, and negligence. Both David and Pollard acknowledged their wrongdoing and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Sanjay Verma.Mumbai Indians emerged victorious in the match by a narrow margin of nine runs. Despite the incident, the team remains in contention for a playoff spot, currently sitting seventh in the points table with three wins and four losses from seven games. Their next challenge will be against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Monday.The IPL's code of conduct aims to maintain fair play and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Players and team officials are expected to adhere to these guidelines to ensure a positive and competitive environment.

Rohit Sharma Surpasses Pollard's Six-Hitting Record for Mumbai IndiansFormer Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma has etched his name in the history books by becoming the franchise's all-time leading six-hitter in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Sharma achieved this remarkable feat during MI's clash against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 33rd match of IPL 2024.During his 25-ball stay at the crease, Sharma amassed 36 runs at a blistering strike rate of 144. He unleashed his power-hitting prowess, smashing 2 fours and 3 towering sixes. With this performance, Sharma has now accumulated 224 sixes for MI in the T20 tournament, surpassing Kieron Pollard's previous record of 223.Pollard, who has been a long-time stalwart for MI, now holds the second spot on the list. Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan follow in third and fourth place with 104 and 103 sixes, respectively.Sharma's achievement is a testament to his exceptional batting skills and his ability to clear the boundary with ease. He has consistently been one of the most feared batsmen in the IPL, known for his aggressive approach and ability to score runs at a rapid pace.In the match against PBKS, Sam Curran's team won the toss and elected to field first. MI, led by Hardik Pandya, posted a competitive total of 175/6, thanks in part to Sharma's contribution. However, PBKS chased down the target with relative ease, winning by 6 wickets with 10 balls to spare.Despite the loss, Sharma's record-breaking performance remains a significant highlight for MI. It further solidifies his status as one of the greatest batsmen in IPL history and a true legend of the Mumbai-based franchise.

Mumbai Indians' Pollard Defends Hardik Pandya Amidst CriticismMumbai Indians' batting coach and former all-rounder Kieron Pollard has staunchly defended Hardik Pandya following the team's IPL match against Chennai Super Kings. Pandya faced significant scrutiny for his performance, but Pollard rallied behind his teammate, emphasizing the importance of team unity and support."I am sick and fed up looking to pinpoint individuals; cricket is a team game at the end of the day," Pollard stated after the match. He expressed confidence in Pandya's abilities and highlighted his crucial role in the upcoming T20 World Cup for India.Pollard acknowledged Pandya's recent struggles and the public's expectations, but stressed the importance of evolution in a player's career. "As an individual you have to evolve," he remarked. "The older you get, accountability and responsibility kick in."Despite Pandya's recent challenges, Pollard remains optimistic about his future contributions, citing his hard work and commitment to improvement. "What I am seeing is the guy is evolving. We, as individuals, want to see certain things but sometimes the game does not demand certain things," Pollard noted.Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup, Pollard anticipates a shift in public sentiment towards Pandya. "I hope very well deep down within my heart that when he comes out on top, I'll sit back and watch everyone sing his praises," he said.Pollard's defense of Pandya underscores the importance of team unity and support, especially in the face of adversity. It also highlights the need for patience and understanding as players navigate the challenges of their careers.