Kieron Pollard thanks Chris Gayle for support, mocks Clive Lloyd after WC 2015 snub

Kieron Pollard (L) and Chris Gayle

West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard has thanked his teammate Chris Gayle for offering him support following his exclusion from the 15-man World Cup squad. The 27-year-old along with fellow Trinidadian Dwayne Bravo weren’t named in the team that would take part in the ICC 50-over World Cup 2015, starting February 14.

Pollard tweeted,

Thanks @henrygayle well batted on and off the field ..!! Keep that fire burning ..!! appreciate the support

— Kieron Pollard (@KieronPollard55) January 11, 2015

While the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) hasn’t explained the rationale behind dropping two of its stalwarts, it is understood that the duo has paid the price for their roles in the West Indies pull-out of India tour last October.

‘Ridiculous to drop two of team’s best all-rounders’

Following the Caribbean team’s record-breaking win over South Africa in a T20 match at the Wanderers on Sunday, Gayle, who scored a 41-ball 90 to help his team chase down the 232-run target, launched a scathing attack on the national selectors for leaving out the pair from the World Cup squad, terming it as a “ridiculous” move.

Gayle said: "How can those two guys not be in the team?

"To me it got to be like victimisation when you look at it towards those two guys. Come on, guys. It is just ridiculous. Come on. Ridiculous. Really hurt. Ridiculous. Honestly, it throws me off. We can only talk. We can express our feelings, which I'm doing at this point in time. The squad already is announced. It is just sad,” he added.

Admitting that the team would be severely weakened without its two key players, he said: "It is a big batting line-up when you look at our team. But it's just disappointing when you look at the 50-over format - we won't be at our strongest.

"We don't have our strongest team without Pollard, nor Bravo. So that is actually sad for us. It is a really big blow for us to actually lose two key players, two key all-rounders as well, very good in the outfield. I don't know what's the history behind it, but it is a ridiculous selection from my point of view.”

Sly dig at Clive Lloyd:

Pollard, then, followed it up a with a couple more tweets. First, he retweeted an ESPNcricinfo comic, making fun of Clive Llyod, the chairman of the West Indies selection committee:

pic.twitter.com/1JNcFSLriK

— Kieron Pollard (@KieronPollard55) January 12, 2015

The exclusion of the duo will surely leave several of their fans disappointed, but Pollard requested them to not lose hope and promised them continued entertainment.

Don't let your hearts be troubled , fans well wishers, supporters.! I will sleep comfortable, HOPE THEY CAN..!! Will continue to entertain

— Kieron Pollard (@KieronPollard55) January 11, 2015