Pollard eyes TT Women’s franchise team

Pollard was a member of the triumphant West Indies team that won the 2012 ICC World T20 competition in Sri Lanka and is currently playing with Mumbai in the 2017 edition of the popular Indian Premier League (IPL). The 29 year old Pollard’s services are in high demand across the globe and he has proven to be a crucial part of Mumbai’s campaign yet again.

Pollard is averaging a shade under 30 at 29.90 with a highest score of 70 as Mumbai Indians lead the IPL standings and are favourites to cop the title again.

Pollard played key roles in Mumbai winning the IPL crown twice and has competed in the Australian Big Bash and South African Ram Slam in the past.

The T20 format of cricket has overshadowed everything that has happened for the game of cricket in the last decade with tremendous fan interest reinvigorating the game, attracting sponsors and resulting in high fees for the world’s best players. And with West Indies women’s team being crowned ICC World T20 champs in India last year, the interest in the female version of the game is increasing in the Caribbean.

Last week, the Trinidad and Tobago women’s team won their second straight WICB Super50 title and the TT CB has decided to capitalise on the euphoria to further the women’s game with an innovative tournament. TT CB CEO Suruj Ragoonath said recently, “We have a T20 Franchise (event) that is coming up that, I think, is something that is going to be very exciting. It’s going to be historic in the region. A women’s T20 Franchise Tournament, four teams in Trinidad and one East team which is already purchased by a very renowned West Indies cricketer. I would not tell you who he is.” A source who wished to remain anonymous revealed to Newsday that Pollard is that West Indies cricketer and negotiations are currently ongoing to finalise the deal.

Ragoonath, speaking to Newsday yesterday, said a press conference will be held on Thursday to give further information on the first ever women’s T20 franchise tournament which will feature the top female players from throughout the region.

Each franchise team will be allowed to recruit two other current West Indian players and they also must include two Trinidad and Tobago under 19 cricketers among their roster. Trinidadians Merissa Aguilleira, Anisa Mohammed, Britney Cooper and Stacy-Ann King who were members of the victorious West Indies Women’s team that won the ICC World T20 tournament last year in India will be the icon players for the four franchise teams. The tournament is expected to be played at the Brian Lara Academy from May 15 to 19