![](/templates/yootheme/cache/67/2f986b8271991a63e3900fca555dc250_XL-6788aaa6.jpeg)
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard insists the team is nowhere close to being ready to give up on talented batsman Shimron Hetmyer, despite the player’s recently well-documented struggles with fitness.
The 25-year-old batsman was left out of the West Indies' previous series against Ireland and England and also failed to be included in the squad for the ongoing India tour. The issue stemmed from the fact that the player failed to achieve the basic fitness standards required to be eligible for selection.
It was not the first time Hetmyer had been plagued by the issue as he also failed to get a passing mark in 2020, ahead of the team’s tour of Sri Lanka, and then again later that same year during Sri Lanka’s tour of the West Indies. The Windies skipper, however, backs the player to get things right in the near future.
"I think the coaches have spoken on their assessment of Shimron. I miss Shimron when he is not around. He is a young player and a superstar in his own right. He will get it right and get back to the West Indies squad pretty soon. I will be looking forward to having him," Pollard told members of the media, ahead of the team’s first T20I against India.
"We know what he can do as an individual and he has a bright future. You can never write off a guy who is 25. My love for Shimron is paramount, and he knows that and we all know that. It is a matter of time for him to do all that is necessary to get back to the team. We will welcome him with open arms."
LATEST STORIES
West Indies complete series sweep despite Mahmudullah efforts
- 2024-12-12 18:17:59
- Hits 1962
Carty becomes joint-fifth fastest West Indian to 1000 ODI runs
- 2024-12-14 13:34:56
- Hits 1448
Johnson Charles returns to West Indies squad for T20I series against Bangladesh
- 2024-12-12 12:14:28
- Hits 399
Sammy to be appointed as West Indies Senior Men’s Head Coach for all formats
- 2024-12-16 10:56:51
- Hits 325
Chris Dehring appointed as CEO of Cricket West Indies- “West Indies cricket has always held a special place in my heart”
- 2024-12-16 10:02:22
- Hits 158