Surrey sign Kieron Pollard for T20 Blast

The former West Indies captain will be available from the second match against Gloucestershire on May 31 at the Kia Oval

Kieron Pollard has joined Surrey for the majority of their T20 Blast campaign.

The former West Indies captain, who recently retired from international cricket, will be available from the second match against Gloucestershire on May 31 at the Kia Oval

Pollard has been playing in the Indian Premier League with Mumbai Indians but will return for his second spell in county cricket, joining up with countryman Sunil Narine.

A legend of the 20-over format with 15 individual trophy wins, including two T20 World Cups and five IPL titles, the 35-year-old's signing represents a major coup even for a club of the size of Surrey.

Only Chris Gayle and Shoaib Malik have scored more runs in the 20-over format than Pollard, whose 11,571 runs in 592 matches have come at a strike rate of 151.09, thanks to hitting 773 sixes.

His explosiveness was never better exhibited than in March 2021 when he became the first West Indian to hit six maximums in an over against Sri Lanka's Akila Dhananjaya.

He is also a handy seamer, having taken 308 wickets at 24.99.

^{Pollard was part of the Somerset side that reached the Blast final in 2011 (Harry Engels/Getty Images)}

The spell comes 11 years after his last in English county cricket, for Somerset where he spent two summers, while contracts with Northamptonshire and Welsh Fire have fallen through since due to Covid-19.

But in the recent player draft he was re-selected for The Hundred by the Lord's based London Spirit.

"It has been quite some time since I’ve played county cricket and I’m thrilled to be returning to the Vitality Blast competition in Surrey colours this year," he said.

"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 this year."

Director of cricket Alec Stewart 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-around ability will make a significant difference to the depth of the squad."

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