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Pollard lambasts teammates for ignoring fitness, says it’s the biggest hindrance for West Indies

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West Indies captain Kieron Pollard has lashed out at his teammates for not maintaining proper fitness standards and thus hampering the team performance by not being able to put the best men forward in the playing xi. 

"It has been an issue that has been plaguing us for the last couple of years. One way to look at it is, the selection policy, the fitness policies are there. Guys know exactly what is needed to represent the West Indian team. Sometimes, as individuals, we take it for granted. Yes, sometimes it hinders the process of selecting the best players at the given available time,” said the 34-year old.

“Fitness has been one issue that has affected us in terms of trying to put our best team and sometimes, it's frustrating because you don't have the guys fit and available to represent the team,” he added further. 

Pollard, who himself is making a comeback from injury post the T20 World Cup 2021 to play in the three-match ODI series and a single T20I against Ireland, said that as a captain all he can do is make the players realise the importance of fitness and while on tours, make sure that players are adhering to the fitness regime. 

But according to the Trinidad man, the main problem is when players go home and are not part of the team on any tour or series.

"For me, as an individual, the most I could do is try to make the guys understand the importance of fitness. When we are on tour, I can safely say there is no issue as to when the guys have to do their stuff in terms of what is required for the team and when they have to train in schedules. 

I think the difficult part is when the guys leave from tour with responsibilities and with instructions and, sometimes, they don't follow it. And then they come back on tour and they start from ground zero,” Pollard said. 

Talking about the importance of the series against Ireland, even though it is part of the CWC Super League and points will eventually help in booking a direct place in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Pollard believes that it is a no gainer for players. 

"The sad reality is that I don't believe that if we win these games - this might be taken out of context but that's not what I'm saying - if we were to win all three games, it's something that people will expect us to do. But if we were to lose, then that brings a different perspective. There's a no-win situation there,” he explained. 

Even as I write, West Indies and Ireland are currently squaring off against each other in the first ODI at the Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica West Indies

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