‘Youngster’ Pollard on his genius bowling and upping T20 party vibe...

Cricket writer ZAAHIER ADAMS caught up with the Cape Cobras’ Caribbean superstar Kieron Pollard, pictured left, ahead of the T20 match against the Titans at Newlands today. THE guys, coach and the management, were very accommodating and were really fantastic towards me last season. Obviously we won the tournament too, which made it a lot easier, so that made things really good too. I really enjoy Cape Town, it’s chilled and relaxed, and hence I am back.

YOU get paid for doing something that you love, so you might as well enjoy it. (West Indians are) quite chilled out and to me, once you do that, the pressure becomes less on you because you’re enjoying it and that’s when you come out on top most times. Coach Paul Adams always compliments your work with the younger players. I’M a youngster myself (laughs). I’ve been fortunate enough to play in different environments around the world and with players far more experienced than I am. Getting that opportunity to increase my knowledge capacity is a blessing, so for me it’s about passing it on... you can’t keep it for yourself. Last year the Cobras marched to the T20 title. It hasn’t been smooth sailing this season, what’s the major difference? WE just haven’t been playing well as a team as yet. But we’re still in the top three even though we’re not playing well. And that augurs well for the future because when we do click, we’re going to be a really dangerous side. It’s about peaking at the right time. Were you sad about not being selected for this year’s World Cup? LIFE goes on. To go back and think about it doesn’t make any sense at all. It is gone! We shot ourselves in the foot by not trying to pick our best team and the people in authority think it was the right way to go. What can South Africa’s T20 Challenge learn from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), specifically off the field? WE call it “the biggest party in sport”. The cheerleaders, the atmosphere itself, the drinks, people come to enjoy themselves at a party with the cricketers. That’s what T20 cricket is about. It brings a different vibe to cricket. Those are the little things you need to take into consideration, but you have to maintain the quality of the product too. You are renowned for different angles of delivery and changes of pace. What’s the trick? I AM not a seamer. I can’t hit consistent lengths. I don’t have the pace. I don’t know how to bowl in-swingers or out-swingers. I have to try all sorts to get the batsmen out. If it works you look like a genius, and if it doesn’t you have to back yourself to take the criticism that comes with it.