Nicholas Pooran named West Indies white-ball captain after Kieron Pollard retirement

Cricket West Indies (CWI) today has announced the appointment of Nicholas Pooran as the West Indies Men’s One Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) captain, after the international retirement of veteran all-rounder Kieron Pollard as well. However, Pooran will take over the reins for the West Indies ODI and T20I teams after being added as Pollard’s deputy over the last year. Meanwhile, this will include the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2022 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in October 2023. On the other hand, Shai Hope has been appointed as the stand vice-captain of the ODI team as well.

“We believe Nicholas is ready for the challenge of leading our white ball teams” – Jimmy Adams

CWI’s Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams said: “We believe Nicholas is ready for the challenge of leading our white ball teams given his experience, performances, and the respect he has within the playing group. The Selection Panel believes that Nicholas has matured as a player and were impressed with his leadership of both teams when Kieron Pollard had been absent. The experience he has gathered playing in various franchise leagues around the world was also a factor in the decision to recommend him for the T20 Captaincy.”

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Meanwhile, Nicholas Pooran has already captained the West Indies team in Kieron Pollard’s absence, where he led them to a CG Insurance T20I Series win at home against Australia in 2021 as well. He has smashed eight half-centuries and an ODI century so far whereas he has also scored eight T20I half-centuries too. He also made headlines while representing the West Indies Under-19 team at the 2014 ICC Men’s U19 World Cup, amassing 303 runs from six matches.

CWI President Ricky Skerritt has congratulated Nicholas Pooran on his appointment saying, “Nicholas Pooran is a specially gifted cricketer, and the right person to take over the white ball captaincy. We are confident that he will continue to climb the leadership learning curve speedily, and successfully. I appeal to all West Indies cricket stakeholders to give Nicholas the support and encouragement that he deserves.”

“I am truly honored to be appointed captain of the West Indies team” – Nicholas Pooran

Meanwhile, Pooran expressed his delight in his appointment saying that he is honoured and he will try to follow the former greats. He also admitted that being captain of the national team is the highlight of his cricketing career as well. However, his first outing as captain will be a three-match ODI series against The Netherlands in Amstelveen starting May 31 which is a part of the ICC World Cup Super League. However, he is currently playing in the IPL 2022.

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“I am truly honored to be appointed captain of the West Indies team. I am following the footsteps of several giants of the game who have created an amazing legacy for West Indies cricket. This is indeed a prestigious role, a pivotal position in the West Indian society, as cricket is the force that brings us all West Indians together. To be named captain is indeed the highlight of my career so far and I want to drive the team forward to accomplish great things on the field for our fans and loyal supporters,” Nicholas Pooran concluded.