Kieron
Pollard, captain of the West Indian cricket team, announced his retirement from
international cricket on Wednesday. A right arm medium-fast bowling allrounder,
he is among the biggest smash-hitters in the world. Pollard was jointly the
highest-paid cricketer in the 2010 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).  

In his international career, Kieron Pollard has played 123 one-day internationals, scoring 2,706 runs and taking 55 wickets. He has also played 101 T-20 internationals, scoring 1,506 runs and taking 42 wickets. 

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Announcing his decision to quit international cricket on Wednesday, Pollard put up a video on Instagram where he said, “After careful deliberation I’ve today decided to retire from international cricket.” 

“As is the case of many young persons it was a dream of mine to represent the West Indies team from the time I was a boy of 10 years and I’m proud to have represented West Indies cricket for over 15 years in both the T20 and ODI forms for the game.” 

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“I can still vividly remember making by international debut in 2007 under the leadership of my childhood hero, Brian Lara. Wearing those maroon colours and playing alongside such greats has been a privilege that I never took lightly, soul in every facet of the game — whether bowling, batting or fielding.” 

The 34-year-old cricketer made in international debut against South Africa. His T20 debut happened the following year against Australia. Pollard was one of those West Indian cricketers who never played an international Test match. 

Pollard was put out of the West Indian cricket team over a tiff with the cricket board and the players’ association over pay structure. His return to international cricket saw him lead the side in both ODIs and T20 matches. West Indies played 61 matches under Pollard across both formats, of which they won 25 and lost 31. Five matches ended without a result. Pollard was part of the West Indian side that won the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2012.