By Philip Spooner
Nicholas Pooran arrived at Kensington Oval on Sunday afternoon fully prepped for the second T20 International against England.
He gave thanks for another day to showcase his flamboyant batting and make a huge impact on the adoring fans who came to the magnificent arena to be entertained.
Pooran sees every day on the cricket field as a blessing. He knows what it is like to be absent from the sport he loves.
“It’s what I love to do. I just love playing cricket, it’s what I wanted to do from a child and I get to live my dream,” he said.
“Everyone knows my story. When I had the accident, when many people felt I would never play cricket again. At the time I felt playing cricket again was impossible. When I recovered in the hospital the first thing I asked was if I would be able to play cricket again…
“Now I’m on both feet and I enjoy everything I do for West Indies cricket and for the fans who come to see me play. I play for them. When the fans are around that is when the magic happens. There was a time during the pandemic when we had no fans (in the stands) … that felt strange. I always give thanks for my blessings.”
Pooran added: “Being here tonight having represented West Indies in my 100th T20I is great. It’s a special feeling… back then I felt like I wasn’t supposed to be here, but I’m here tonight and I feel like I can play a hundred more.
“Hearing the West Indies anthem and seeing the fans celebrating West Indies cricket is what makes me happy. As a little boy growing up, I used to love to see Brian Lara and hearing Ian Bishop’s voice on TV, that’s what I enjoyed as a young fan… so that inspired me.”
Off the cricket field, Pooran is soft-spoken, mild-mannered and engaging. On the field, he is vocal and demonstrative behind the stumps with the gloves on and sensational in front the stumps with bat in hand.
Ahead of the ongoing series, he scored 2,251 runs in 67 innings in all T20s in 2024 –– a record for the most by any batter in a calendar year in T20s. The runs came at an average of about 45 and at a strike rate of 161. His 165 sixes this year is also 66 sixes clear of the next highest batter on the list.
He explained his ambitions going forward. “In the last 14 months I have been playing really well and winning games. Everything is happening nicely. I’m still pretty young and I believe I still have a lot of cricket left in me.
“There is a still a lot I want to accomplish, there is still a lot to win. I believe this is the start for me… I will remain humble, and I will remain grounded and be the best version of myself. I want to continue to put smiles on the faces of my fans.”
Sunday was a bit of a blip on this otherwise stellar year of performances. As far as landmarks go, this one was not marked by anything memorable or marvellous.
There was no signature special edition “Pooran” jersey with “100” emblazoned on his back, and he did not send the colourful crowd in a frenzy.
He was below his best with a score of 14 off 23 balls and West Indies fell to defeat by eight wickets to trail 2-0 in the five-match series.
Eight years ago in the United Arab Emirates, Pooran made a slow start to his career and recorded scores of 5, 4 and 16 against a potent Pakistan attack. He was the rookie in the camp, but he was surrounded by a wealth of experience including Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine –– and he learned the ropes quickly.
“It was my first match, and I was delighted to get my first cap from the team manager, Joel Garner. Everyone made me feel at home in the West Indies dressing room, and I felt that my journey started,” he said.
“I wanted to be a household name. I wanted people to want to a watch me bat. Whether it’s 7 o’clock in the night or 4 o’clock in the morning. I wanted to put smiles on people’s faces. I want to continue to share the talent I have been blessed with from my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Editor’s note: Philip Spooner was Media Manager of the West Indies Team from 2007 to 2022 – during which time West Indies won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on two occasions.
He was also Head of Media and PR at Cricket West Indies and Global Media Manager for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and West Indies.
