Kieron Pollard links up with Sunil Narine at Surrey CCC

BY MARCUS HOOK

Surrey have confirmed that the former West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard will be reunited with fellow Trinidadian Sunil Narine for this summer’s tilt at the Vitality Blast, a competition the South Londoners have not won since the inaugural tournament in 2003.

For Pollard, who announced his international retirement last month, it will be his first appearance in county cricket since 2011, when his Somerset side were beaten by Leicestershire in the final.

“It has been quite some time since I’ve played county cricket,” said the 35 year-old, who has racked up more than 11,500 runs in Twenty20 cricket.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Vitality Blast competition in Surrey colours. The Kia Oval is a special place to play, especially in front of a full house.

“This Surrey side is full of talent and should certainly be mounting a challenge for the title. I hope that my experience will add a vital ingredient to the club’s success.”

Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, added: “We’re very pleased to bring Kieron to the club. He brings an incredible range of skills as well as experience at the very highest level of the sport. His all-round ability will make a significant difference to the depth of the squad.”

While Pollard had a relatively unexceptional record in this year’s Indian Premier League – which culminates in this Sunday’s final – off-spinner Narine, 33, will fly in from Mumbai having been the most economical bowler in this year’s IPL.

South East Stars women got back to winning ways in the Charlotte Edwards Cup last Saturday, with a seven-wicket victory over Western Storm at Beckenham.

The Stars slipped to 40-3 in response to the Storm’s 145-6 in 20 overs before Aylish Cranstone (66 not out) and Kalea Moore (57 not out) came to their side’s rescue with an unbeaten stand of 108.

Moore, who would not have played but for Alice Davidson-Richards picking up a hand injury at the eleventh hour, said: “It was a last minute thing, but I took the opportunity and I’m glad I did.

“It was actually a really nice wicket to bat on and with Aylish I felt very, very comfortable, because she’s so experienced. I thought if us two keep ticking we’re going to be perfectly fine.

“It made it so much easier for me. Aylish can hit the bad ones, although I must say, I don’t think I’ve run so many twos in my life. We always know we can back each other to run, so with such a big boundary we always knew we could hit twos.”

The result leaves South East Stars occupying second spot in Group 1.

“It’s a very happy dressing room. It’s good that we bounced back from Wednesday’s loss to Central Sparks and as a team we did very well overall,” added Moore.

The Stars’ rematch with Western Storm at Bristol on June 1 will be televised on Sky Sports.