New Delhi: West Indies cricket announced a new captain for ODI and T20 formats on Tuesday. The board has appointed Nicholas Pooran as the captain of the ODI and T20 International teams. For a long time, senior all-rounder Kieron Pollard was in charge of West Indies limited-overs captain, but now he has retired. Nicholas Pooran had been around for quite some time as Kieron Pollard’s deputy.
Shai Hope has been selected as the vice-captain of the West Indies ODI cricket team. Nicholas Pooran has captained the West Indies limited-overs team on a few occasions when Pollard was absent for some reason. Pooran’s first outing as Windies’ full-time captain will be the three away ODIs against The Netherlands starting May 31.
CWI’s Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams said: “We believe Nicholas is ready for the challenge of leading our white-ball teams given his experience, performances, and the respect he has within the playing group. The Selection Panel believes that Nicholas has matured as a player and were impressed with his leadership of both teams when Kieron Pollard had been absent. The experience he has gathered playing in various franchise leagues around the world was also a factor in the decision to recommend him for the T20 Captaincy.”
CWI President Ricky Skerritt congratulated Pooran on his appointment saying, “Nicholas Pooran is a specially gifted cricketer, and the right person to take over the white ball captaincy. We are confident that he will continue to climb the leadership learning curve speedily, and successfully. I appeal to all West Indies cricket stakeholders to give Nicholas the support and encouragement that he deserves.”
Pooran expressed his delight in his appointment saying, “I am truly honoured to be appointed captain of the West Indies team. I am following the footsteps of several giants of the game who have created an amazing legacy for West Indies cricket. This is indeed a prestigious role, a pivotal position in the West Indian society, as cricket is the force that brings us all West Indians together. To be named captain is indeed the highlight of my career so far and I want to drive the team forward to accomplish great things on the field for our fans and loyal supporters.”
