By Neto Baptiste
Legendary West Indies batsman and former national cricketer, Sir Vivian Richards, believes that Trinidadian wicketkeeper batsman Nicholas Pooran has something to offer the senior West Indies Test team and that he should be given an opportunity to stake his claim.
The successful former Test and ODI captain, made the statement while speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, adding that the young cricketer is also a good thinker of the game.
“We could look at that and I think he could be a serious option down in the middle order with the gloves on as well, but these are some of the things they may have to look at because I think he has got a serious head on him in terms of the way he thinks. He looks pretty serious and the way he would have adapted so far at the highest level, I just think that could be another option,” he said.
Pooran, who has made 25 ODI appearances and have featured 21 T20 International matches for the senior West Indies team, is yet to play Test for the regional squad.
Sir Viv, who scored 8,540 runs in 121 Test for the West Indies, believes Pooran has the ability to be competitive in all formats and could be a more plausible option than Barbados’ Shane Dowrich.
“He is a power player as well, and he has got the ability to play all formats but it is just sometimes you have coaches telling you what they think you should be doing and the things they think you’re good at, but sometimes I believe you have to give these guys [a chance] if they have it in mind that they would love to play all these various [formats], then why not. I think that Pooran has got a good head on him and he keeps wicket well,” he said.
“If Shane Dowrich continues to behave the way he is and plays fast bowling, I think Pooran would bring a lot more aggression. He hooks and he pulls and he is an aggressive player,” Sir Viv added.
Pooran, in his 25 ODI matches, has scored 932 runs with a highest of 118 while he has scored 353 runs in 21 T20 Internationals.