Kieron Pollard signs with Northamptonshire for the 2020 Vitality T20 Blast

Northants won the T20 Blast trophy in 2013 and 2016.

Pollard has played 499 T20 matches so far | Getty Images

Legend of the world of T20 cricket Kieron Pollard is all set to make his comeback to English cricket, as the swashbuckling all-rounder has been signed up by the Northamptonshire for the upcoming 2020 edition of the Vitality T20 Blast on Tuesday (January 28).

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Pollard’s signing is a major boost for the Northants Steelbacks in the T20 Blast, though; he will be available for the side for the eight matches, starting with a home fixture against Durham on June 5, subject to approval from West Indies Cricket Board.

West Indies’ white-ball captain has played in and won many T20 leagues across the globe, having played an incredible 499 T20s – more than any other player and scored 9,966 T20 runs at a strike rate of over 150 runs per 100 balls beside snaring an impressive 279 wickets in the format.

The all-rounder has also played in the English T20 before for Somerset, helping the side to reach the final in 2010 and 2011 and he is delighted to get another opportunity to play in the UK.

Head coach David Ripley said of Pollard’s signing: “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 and is just an absolute competitor. He can bowl the big overs, the field in key positions and whack it out of any cricket ground in the world.”

On the other hand, Steelbacks skipper Josh Cobb is excited to have Pollard for the upcoming T20 Blast 2020, saying, “His stats are unbelievable. 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.”

Meanwhile, the Windies skipper is looking forward to the wonderful opportunity, adding: “Now, visa criteria permitting, 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. I know they have some amazing fans and I look forward to entertaining them and bringing more success to the club.”

Pollard signed off by saying, “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 percent on winning games for Northants when I arrive in June.”

(With ESPNcricinfo Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 29 Jan, 2020

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