Cricket West Indies on May 4 have appointed Nicholas Pooran as their full-time ODI and T20I captain after Kieron Pollard decided to bid farewell to international cricket last week.
Pooran has been Pollard’s deputy for a while now and was earmarked as the successor. The 26-year-old will have two major assignments as the Windies captain in the coming year, with the T20 World Cup in October-November this year and ODI World Cup in October 2023.
Speaking about the appointment, CWI’s director of cricket Jimmy Adams said the selection panel believes Pooran has matured as a player and as a leader within the side. He also praised Pooran’s impact in the absence of Pollard.
“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.
Nicholas has matured as a player and were impressed with his leadership of both teams when Kieron Pollard had been absent,”
Adams said in a statement released by CWI.
The left-hand wicketkeeper batter has played 37 ODIs and 57 T20Is for the Windies so far. Pooran has registered one hundred and eight fifties in the fifty-over format while scoring eight fifties in the shorter format.
He led the West Indies in two ODIs against India earlier this year when Pollard was injured. In T20 internationals, he led the team to a 4-1 series victory over Australia in July 2021. In December, he captained the national side in a 3-0 defeat on the tour of Pakistan.
“I am truly honoured to be appointed captain of the West Indies team. 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,”
Pooran said.
Pooran will take charge of the team in May, with three ODIs against the Netherlands as part of the ODI Super League.
