ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Captain Kieron Pollard has underscored the vital role that veteran players play in Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s capture of the Regional Super50 Cup last weekend.
In a lapsed final at Coolidge Cricket Ground on Saturday, Red Force crushed Guyana Jaguars by 152 runs, to complete a relentless campaign that saw the two go unbeaten throughout.
The final was dominated by two 36-year-olds – opener Lendl Simmons hitting a career-best 146 to fire Red Force to 362 for five off their 50 overs and sailor Ravi Rampaul grabbing four for 52 to help sending Jaguars crashing at 210.
“I think we’re the experienced guys around in the matting department [have been important], ”Said Pollard.
“We had Lendl Simmons scoring a big hundred [in the final], Evin Lewis at the beginning scored runs, you had Denesh Ramdin one of the more experienced players.
“Then in the bowling department, Ravi Rampaul after a five-year, six-year hiatus playing West Indies cricket … coming back sharing his experience and working with the lads.
“Dwayne Bravo was too, even though he wasn’t part of our squad throughout the whole tournament. He also played a helping hand in the junior bowlers. ”
Pollard, the West Indies white-ball captain, was one of the many experienced players in the squad, and played a key role with his aggressive leadership.
For the 33-year-old player, the title marked his first 50-over regional home run as captain, and he said he had simply tried to inject a winning mentality into the unit.
“Anything you want to do to the best of your ability and only the guys I’ve been honest and straightforward with,” he explained.
“I know how I want to play and how we should play and that winning mentality. You go all over the world and win titles and there is nothing better than winning for your country.
“I just need to give that confidence to the guys and come in when needed.”
Pollard also praised the level of preparation for the tournament, noting that this was the foundation of the Red Force campaign.
“The preparation was good. Guys have been training since October [last year even though] we got COVID, ”said Pollard.
“The guys joined the team after playing various tournaments and then we left the team and went to Dubai [for the Abu Dhabi T10] and we bonded back together just before the start of the tournament.
“So kudos to the management staff and everyone back in Trinidad for the preparation.
“Then we came in here and it was a matter of giggling together as a unit and coming out and playing good cricket.”