West Indies’ limited-overs captain Kieron Pollard worries about his fitness ahead of the first ODI against Ireland.

The veteran cricketer himself was troubled by a hamstring problem, which in turn took him out of action for five to six weeks. Incidentally, Shimron Hetmyer was left out of the West Indies limited-overs squads against Ireland and England for not meeting the fitness standards set by West Indies Cricket.

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Pollard said–

“This is an issue that has been bothering us for the past few years.” “One way to look at it, there are selection policies, fitness policies. Guys know what it takes to represent the West Indies team. Sometimes, as individuals, we take it lightly. Yes, sometimes -Sometimes it hinders the process. Selecting the best players in the time available.

Things happened during the pandemic-

Things happened during the pandemic – for safety reasons – all these played a factor. But fitness has been an issue that has affected us in terms of trying to put in our best team and sometimes, it’s frustrating because You don’t have people fit and available to represent the team.

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I would also say that it is an individual thing, they should take pride in being fit, performing, and doing what is necessary for the team. When these things happen, as an individual. I am sure That doesn’t bode well for us either. Again. This is something that I take very personally – fitness – and I haven’t been able to participate because of an injury – because it doesn’t go very well with me. So I got the opportunity to go round and recover and hopefully. I can stay with the team because I am proud of it.”

Pollard also briefly observed that the problem is more about how players do not follow through on responsibilities and instructions when they return home after the tour.

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Importance of fitness-

“For me, as a person, all I can do is try to explain to people the importance of fitness. When we’re on tour. I can safely say that there’s no problem when people have to do their stuff. What is required of the team and when do they have to train in the schedule. We do have these conversations, but I think the hard part is when people leave the tour with responsibilities and instructions, and sometimes. They don’t follow it and then they are back on tour and they start from ground zero.

With players like Justin Greaves, Akil Hossein, Gudakesh Moti, Jaden Seals, Odeon Smith, and co, West Indies looking more towards the future. Selection is taking place. Pollard hoped that the new players would believe in themselves that they belonged to international cricket.