Williams: WI T20 squad confident under Pollard

WEST Indies fast bowler Kesrick Williams is confident of the regional team’s chances against New Zealand in the three-match T20 series next month in New Zealand, under the leadership of Kieron Pollard.

West Indies left Barbados on Tuesday night for London, England. The West Indies touring party will leave London for Dubai then travel to New Zealand.

Speaking with Cricket West Indies media on Monday, Williams said, “I am confident we will do well, a team led by Kieron Pollard we can do the business down there. He’s a great leader. Somebody you can talk to, somebody who is straight up with you. Fantastic guy to talk to at any time.”

The Vincentian believes the squad has enough seasoned campaigners to cope with playing in New Zealand. “You have a lot of experience in the team so going down there, yes it is in different conditions, but we know what is required…as a professional cricketer, you’ve got to learn to play in and handle different conditions.”

Many West Indies players are currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) including Pollard, Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer. A lot will be expected from the trio in the batting department.

“We see the guys who are playing from West Indies in the IPL…the guys are really doing well and the guys that are back here have been working really hard to get ready to go to New Zealand. We’re ready to go and perform for the maroon once again.”

This will be the second trip for the pacer to New Zealand.

He was last there for the series around the Christmas to New Year’s period from 2017 into 2018 where he played two matches in Nelson and Mount Maunganui. Overall, Williams has an impressive record of 41 wickets in 25 T20 Internationals – making him fifth highest for West Indies behind Dwayne Bravo (59 in 71 matches), Samuel Badree (54 in 50), Sunil Narine (52 in 51) and Daren Sammy (44 in 66). Williams’ average of 18.82 runs per wicket and strike rate of 13.1 are among the best in the history of the shortest format.

Williams had a strong showing in the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which ended last month.

“Yeah, I feel good. I feel confident. Just coming off the back of CPL as well… finishing in the top five wickets. That’s always a good feeling to finish where wickets are concerned.”

He added, “After the CPL, when I got home as well, I played some cricket. So, yeah I’m in good shape. I’m feeling well. But as you know when we get to New Zealand, we have to quarantine. So it’s how we handle the quarantine. We will have to adjust and be ready. We’ll see how it goes when we come out of quarantine and get ready to play.”

Following the T20 series, West Indies will face New Zealand in two Test matches bowling off on December 3.

Match Schedule

November 27: 1st T20I at Eden Park, Auckland

November 29: 2nd T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

November 30: 3rd T20I at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

December 3-7: 1st Test at Seddon Park, Hamilton

December 11-15: 2nd Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington