Surrey sign Kieron Pollard for T20 Blast 2022

After a gap of more than a decade, West Indies’ power-hitter Kieron Pollard will make his way back into county cricket, having signed with Surrey for the T20 Blast, where he will be seen teaming up with fellow countryman Sunil Narine. They formerly played for the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, Dhaka Dynamites in the Bangladesh Premier League, and Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League.

Several counties had approached Pollard after his international retirement for playing the Blast, with Surrey being the front-runner when Sean Abbott’s involvement in Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka caused him to withdraw out of his commitment.

Pollard is set to make his Surrey debut against Gloucestershire at the Kia Oval on May 31, after the team announced the signing on Friday. Pollard last played county cricket for Somerset in 2011, when his side was defeated in the final by Leicestershire. He was slated to play for Northamptonshire in 2020, but his contract was terminated owing to the Covid-19 epidemic.

“It has been quite some time since I’ve played county cricket and I’m thrilled to be returning to the Vitality Blast competition in Surrey colors this year. The Kia Oval is a special place to play, especially in front of a full house. This Surrey side is full of talent and should certainly be mounting a challenge for the title. I hope that my experience will add a vital ingredient to the club’s success this year,” Pollard said in a Surrey press release.

His all-round ability will make a significant difference to the depth of the squad: Surrey Director

Surrey has not won a single title since the inception of the tournament in 2003, and they did not qualify for the knockouts last season. However, they are among the favorites to win it this year. The team will be missing some of major players Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes, Jason Roy, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, and Reece Topley as they will be occupied with their national teams, but the addition of Pollard and Narine has reduced their tension.

“We’re very pleased to bring Kieron to the club. He brings an incredible range of skills as well as experience at the very highest level of the sport. His all-round ability will make a significant difference to the depth of the squad,” said Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket.