Tuesday 2nd Jun, 2026
MUMBAI: Kieron Pollard, West Indies all-rounder, has been named as captain of the Bloem City Blazers for the inaugural T20 Global League starting in South Africa in November. The 30-year-old has previously captained the Mumbai Indians (IPL) and recently the Barbados Tridents in the 2017 edition of the Caribbean Premier League.
Head coach, Phil Simmons, says Pollard brings a number of valuable qualities to the role, along with supreme international and domestic T20 experience: “Polly is a World-Cup winning player and has won numerous T20 domestic titles across the globe; his leadership is a vital asset to the Bloem City Blazers. He brings with him a deep understanding of the game and the energy and passion to inspire the squad in our first attempt at T20 Global League success.”
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The 30-year-old has played 56 T20 Internationals and 387 domestic T20 matches in a decade-long career of T20 cricket.
Pollard says leading a group of talented and skilful players from around the world will be an opportunity to create a competitive, high-performing and enjoyable environment.
“I’m honoured to be leading this immensely talented group of players,” he said.
“Every year I come back to South Africa and I am made to feel incredibly welcome. The T20 Global League is a new and exciting competition and looking at the squad we’ve put together I’m confident our brand of cricket will light up Bloemfontein and give the fans cause to cheer.
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“We want to start with real momentum and the fans being behind us from the outset is important. We’ve got world-class talent that covers every base in the Bloem City Blazers squad, the ingredients are all there to make the T20 Global League a successful tournament for us.
“I’ve either played with or against most of the guys so they’ll be familiar with how I lead a group. If we perform our roles and show the fighting spirit from the outset we will be formidable opponents.
I can’t wait for the first game.”
The Bloem City Blazers will open their T20 Global League campaign against Cape Town Knight Riders at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on November 5th.