By Akeem Greene
There is a clear flow of information between talented West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer and the team’s management, according to white-ball captain, Kieron Pollard.
The skipper said he had conversations with the young Hetmyer about what they expect of him, and the Guyanese player has also aired his ambitions.
At Friday’s pre-match presser on the eve of the first Twenty20 International against South Africa in Grenada, Pollard opted not to divulge what was said in those conversations.
“In all honesty, as much I would want to tell you the conversations we are having, sometimes somethings are better left unsaid and some things are better when it happens on a personal level,” Pollard said.
“For us, we have been having those conversations about what we expect from ‘Hetty’, and what we want from him. We know some of his goals and some of the things he wants to achieve as well, so we are always willing and ready to help in that aspect of it.”
In March, when Hetmyer was not selected for the Sri Lanka series, Pollard said the absence of Hetmyer certainly leaves a big void, but noted that the left-hander knows what he has to do in order to return.
He was named in the provisional 18-man squad for the upcoming 15 T20Is at home, but did not make the 13-man squad for the first two matches against South Africa this weekend.
The Guyanese was also cut from Cricket West Indies International retainer contracts for the 2021-22 period, and in May, Pollard said he wants to see Hetmyer compete in all three formats for the men in maroon, but believes the 24-year-old has to work harder if he wants to regain a CWI central contract.
On Friday, he reiterated similar that Hetmyer has to work hard and make the most of the opportunities when they are given.
“As I said before, as an individual, anything you do, you need to want it more than anything else. Conversations have been good; camaraderie has been fantastic as well and it is just a matter of him getting opportunities and him coming out and show what he is made off.”
Sinclair learning well
Pollard, who was appointed the white-ball captain in 2019, spoke highly of Guyanese newbie Kevin Sinclair. The 21-year-old off-spinner has been an effective new-ball bowler, however, Pollard cautioned seeking to pit him against his predecessors.
“He is a young guy coming in, just getting international experience; he has been good around the group. The senior guys have been helping him around pretty well and everyone is important for us in this 18-man squad, and guys who are out, might have a chance of getting in as well,” the skipper expressed.
He further said, “We are not going to individualise any sort of importance on any one player because this is supposed to be a team. Kevin has gelled well with the guys and guys are looking out for each other, so hopefully the necessary experience gains here, we will see what happens later down in the year, and it is just a matter of him continuing to grow as an individual and let us not try to mould in the mould of a [Samuel] Badree, let us just keep it at Kevin Sinclair.”
After a string of success in the Regional Super50 and Caribbean Premier League, Sinclair made his T20I debut in March. He has now played three matches, taking two wickets, and has an economy rate of 8.56.
