MI New York (MINY) captain Kieron Pollard pulled off a unique cheering run that culminated in an awkward pose after sacking his West Indies teammate Andre Russell for just two innings.
The incident happened on Sunday, July 16, during the second innings of the Major League Cricket (MLC) game between the Dallas Stars and the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. Even though the Caribbean pair has faced off against one other frequently throughout their famous T20 careers, this was just Pollard’s 22nd ball to Russell in T20 cricket.
Russell has a strike rate of over 200 against Pollard, but the 36-year-old has also dumped Russell twice.
The LAKR power hitter attempted to pull the short outside-off delivery from the Trinidadian all-rounder, but instead managed to sneak a small nick through to the wicket-keeper Nicholas Pooran.
Despite the on-field umpire’s judgement to rule against the fielding side, they swiftly sent it upstairs to reverse it and remove Russell from the game. As a result, Pollard went for a celebration run, and his teammates followed, thereby bringing an end to the LAKR team’s season.
Here is a clip from the entertaining Pollard celebration:
Both clubs came into this vital matchup having lost their opener game decisively. While MINY was defeated by the San Francisco Unicorns by 22 runs in a high-scoring game, LAKR was defeated by the Texas Super Kings by 69 runs in the season opener.
However, LAKR was heartbreakingly defeated for the second time in a row after being dismissed for a pitiful 50 in response to MINY’s 155/8 in 20 overs.
With just five games played per team in the inaugural MCL season, LAKR’s prospects of making the playoffs were dealt a fatal blow with their second consecutive humiliating loss.
We batted poorly, but we’re happy with the outcome – captain Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard said during the game that the batting lineup’s performance in the first half of their innings was not up to par, despite the crushing 105-run victory. The LAKR seamers wreaked havoc after MINY won the toss and chose to bat first, reducing them to 54/4 in the ninth over.
However, MINY posted a decent total of 155 on the board thanks to a crucial 38 from Nicholas Pooran and an amazing 48 off 21 deliveries from Player of the Match Tim David.
At the post-game presentation, Pollard said:
“I’m pleased with the outcome, but not with our batting effort. In franchise cricket, losing five wickets in the first ten overs is unacceptable. You must give the players some time because this is a brand-new competition and some of them are competing at this level for the first time. During the powerplay, the hitters must pause and evaluate the situation.”
The former star of the Mumbai Indians was still ecstatic with the victory and the bowlers’ effort. Added him:
This is over; we must return the following day to continue this. After the first game, the bowlers remained steadfast and produced, according to Pollard.
Five bowlers, including Pollard, each took two wickets to help LAKR collapse for 50 in just the 14th over. Despite being in a four-way tie for second place in the rankings, the team moved up to second with the win because to their excellent net run rate.
On Monday, July 17, MINY will play host to TSK in a high-profile match at Grand Prairie Stadium. On the other hand, Sunil Narine’s struggling LAKR team will attempt to make their debut on Tuesday, July 18, when they take against the San Francisco Unicorns.
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