Pollard relishes demolition job on Guyana

DURBAN, South Africa (CMC):

Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo would have relished Mumbai Indians' 31-run victory over Guyana in the Champions League Twenty20 Championship on Thursday.

The two all-rounders played pivotal roles in the result and appeared to avenge their native Trinidad & Tobago's semi-final defeat in the Caribbean Twenty20 Cup more than six weeks ago.

Pollard left the Guyanese shell-shocked, when he smashed one four and nine sixes in an undefeated 72 from 30 balls that propelled Mumbai to 184 for four from their 20 overs, after they chose to bat on a hard, true pitch.

"There was a little bit of revenge for T&T," said Pollard. "It was somewhere there at the back of my mind.

"It was really hurtful to us to lose to Guyana in the semi-finals, but this was another game of cricket and I went out there to try and do my best, and I can only thank God for giving me the strength to go out there and do it."

Bravo then supported his compatriot with two wickets for 18 runs from his allotted four overs, as the Guyanese were restricted to 153 for six in their 20 overs.

"T&T and Guyana always have a rivalry back home, and now that I am here to play for the Mumbai Indians it was nice for us to come away with the win," he said.

"Apart from the chattering, we are all good friends and nothing about it was personal. It was a good game and I am proud of Guyana for the way they have fought in this game, after the way they played in the first game, so hopefully, they can move from strength to strength."

Buckled down

Individually, both players were took heart in their performances in the match, with Pollard glad to be given a chance to bat high in the order.

"The aim for me was to go out and get on with it, but the first couple of balls, I was not trying to hit it too hard," he said. "I just buckled down a bit, got a few singles and following this, tried to do the best for the team."

Pollard described the decision to elevate him in the order as "brilliant" and relished the chance, since he it allowed him a chance to settle in better.

"I loved it, but wherever they think about putting me is best for the team," said Pollard. "I will go out there and do my best - be it early, or late. It is just to get a victory for the team and once we do this, I'm happy for this."

The result meant that Mumbai moved up to third on two points.

Mumbai meet Royal Challengers Bangalore tomorrow at Kingsmead Stadium.