Johannesburg – Following his match-winning performance for the Cape Cobras on Sunday, West Indian Kieron Pollard says he is focused on helping his adopted side to perform consistently throughout the domestic T20 series.
Pollard scored 72 runs off 36 balls and went on to take three wickets for 22 in the Cobras 14-run win over the Titans at the Wanderers in their season opener.
“I just want to contribute to the team in a positive way, and I think I've done that today,” said Pollard after the game.
“Having said that, many guys played well today. Richard Levi batted well at the top giving us that start, and we finished it off.
“Then the bowlers finished it off by sticking to their guns although the Titans gave us a run for our money.”
Pollard was modest about his contribution after he removed both Titans openers Henry Davids (72) and Dean Elgar (72), who looked on course for victory at 151 for no loss in the 15th over, chasing 207.
“When we bowled, we knew they were going to come hard at us chasing 200 odd. Davids and Elgar batted pretty well and gave us a scare, but we were always in the game.
“At 10 runs an over, guys have to take chances. We missed a couple but we took the chances at the right time.”
The 27-year-old allrounder from Trinidad and Tobago was part of the West Indian team which cut short its tour of India last month because of a pay dispute. The players pulled out midway through the series with an ODI, a T20 International and three Test series still to play.
It enabled Pollard, T20 specialist Chris Gayle, Darren Sammy, Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo to join local franchises and add spice to the South African T20 series.
While his performance certainly played a key role in securing the win, Pollard said he was eager to contribute in other ways within the Cobras setup.
“You're not just here for runs and wickets and personal performances, you're here to share your experiences and knowledge,” he said.
“We've had a couple chats already while we were batting. Mthokozisi Shezi and myself had a bit of a debate about what was going on out there.
“It's a matter of sharing experiences and coming together as a team and once you do that then you gel well.” – Sapa