POLLARD CAPTAINS FRANCHISE
MI New York has signed former West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard to lead the franchise for the inaugural Major League Cricket season starting in July.
Pollard’s side includes fellow Trinidadian Nicholas Pooran who succeeded him as captain of the international side, but who subsequently quit the post less than a year later, following West Indies’ horror show at the T20 World Qualifiers last November.
The duo, along with Afghan superstar leg-spinner Rashid Khan, New Zealand left -arm seamer Trent Boult and South African speedster Kagiso Rabada, were among nine players announced recently to complete the roster for the July 13-30 campaign scheduled for two venues in Texas.
Former South African international, Robin Peterson will be the head coach while former Sri Lanka fast-bowler, Lasith Malinga has signed on as bowling coach.
“We are thrilled to unveil team MI New York in the upcoming Major League Cricket season,” said Mumbai Indians owner, Alaska M Ambani.
“Stalwart Pollard is leading the team which has international superstars Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada. It is an extraordinary line-up of youth, experience and power. Further, we have exciting talent in the form of Tim David and Brevis, while Jason Behrendorff and David Wiese are proven performers.”
West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran plays a shot during the third Twenty20 international cricket match between India and West Indies in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. Associated Press/Bikas Das, file
“Combined with the exceptional skills of our local players, we are confident that MI New York will raise the bar of competition in the cricket ecosystem of the US. We are dedicated to providing our fans with the quintessential MI brand of cricket.”
36-year old, Pollard has been a feature of Mumbai Indians over the last decade, representing them in the Indian Premier League for 13 seasons before retiring last year.
Left-hander, Pooran also turned out for the brand in the International League T20 when he campaigned for MI Emrites.
West Indies’ Andre Russell and Sunil Narine will also play in the MLC season, having signed for Los Angeles Knight Riders. Both Russell and Narine are also part of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League and the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20.
“We have assembled a strong and talented team for the debut season of MLC, who can compete at the highest level and bring joy to cricket fans around the world,” said Knight Riders chief executive, Venky Mysore.
Four other teams- Texas Super Kings, Seattle Orcas, Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns, will also battle in the tournament.
