2012 Icc World Cup

Pollard arrived at the crease with the West Indies on 140 for three from 15.5 overs; the powerfully built Trinidadian blasted three fours and three sixes while mounting a partnership of 65 with Chris Gayle who scored an unbeaten 75 from just 41 balls.

Pollard’s 38 was scored off just 15 balls, outscoring Gayle along the way as the West Indies closed on 205 for 4, Pollard getting out off the last ball of the innings.

His strike rate, an astonishing 253.3 overshadowed Gayle’s incredible 182.92 and proved to be critical to the West Indies’ a match-winning total.

However, he was not done. Bowling his medium-pacer deliveries Pollard took 2 for 6, and along with compatriots Ravi Rampaul 3 for 16, Sunil Narine 2 for 17 and Samuel Badree 2 for 27 combined to skittle Australia out for 131 to hand the West Indies victory by 74 runs.

“Coming up against Australia in a World Cup T20 semi-final you don’t need more motivation than that,” Pollard recalled.

“Chris Gayle was batting brilliantly and my job was just to finish and I certainly did that.

“Overall, these are the knockout games I’ve always prided myself in standing up for the teams I’ve played with. That semi-final was one of the early ones that helped me develop that confidence to perform in such matches, all over the world in 501 games I’ve played.”

 Pollard lists his 63 against New Zealand that same year against New Zealand as among his most memorable.

“It was one of those tours where you get an opportunity to play in Florida and just enjoy the moment from both a cricket and personal perspective where players can mix game preparation with shopping and other stuff in a popular tourist destination.

“I recall the conditions were really hot walking out with Gayle going guns blazing. The first ball I faced was hit for six and sometimes all you need is that positive feeling to get your innings going perfectly, with everything hitting the middle of the bat and balls hitting the gaps frequently.”