Will have a fair idea about South Africa and Australia at T20 World Cup: Kieron Pollard

ICC has slotted West Indies, Australia and South Africa in the same group for T20 World Cup 2021.

By Salman Anjum - 18 Jul, 2021

Having played Australia and South Africa in recent times, West Indies’ white-ball skipper Kieron Pollard feels his side will have a fair idea about the two teams heading into the T20 World Cup 2021, slated to be held in UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

ICC on Friday (July 16) announced the group draws for the T20 World Cup, as per which, defending champions West Indies are slotted in Group 1 alongside Australia, South Africa, England and the two qualifying teams from the first round.

While West Indies lost the hard-fought T20I series at home to South Africa, they thrashed the visiting Australia side in the five-match T20I series.

"I think it's great. He (Lewis) is starting to understand the talent that he has. He is not a big guy but he is really a powerful guy. So it's just a matter of giving himself time and when he gets in no one can bowl to him. I think he missed out on a couple of international hundreds and it's something we spoke about, obviously to get those hundreds as people tend to forget big 50s at times.

"But for him and to a lot of other youngsters in the dressing room who continue to learn and what's pleasing is they continue to talk about cricket and rotation of strike this series has been good," Pollard told host broadcaster after the fifth T20I against Australia.

"We might have a fair idea of Australia and South Africa, who are in our group for the World Cup, and for us, it doesn't matter and it's just a matter of continuing to improve. And I just want to say congrats to Pooran... with a couple of guys missing out this series, to win a series against Australia, gotta enjoy it," he added.

Pollard was not able to play a single match against Australia, and in his absence, Nicholas Pooran led the home team.

In the fifth T20I, Evin Lewis slammed 79 off 34 balls while Sheldon Cottrell and Andre Russell picked three wickets each as West Indies defeated Australia by 16 runs to clinch the series 4-1.

(With ANI inputs)                                                                                                     

By Salman Anjum - 18 Jul, 2021

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