Brian Lara Slams West Indies Board Over Pooran's Retirement
Legendary West Indies batter Brian Lara has hit out at the West Indies Cricket Board following Nicholas Pooran’s unexpected retirement from international cricket at the age of 29. Lara, speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, suggested that Pooran’s decision was influenced by the lack of support from the West Indies board and the increasing financial opportunities available in global leagues.
Pooran, who recently impressed in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Lucknow Super Giants, announced his retirement from international cricket last month, leaving many surprised, especially with the T20 World Cup just over two years away. Despite his relatively young age, Pooran expressed that the decision to retire was “difficult,” but necessary for his career progression.
Lara pointed out that the trend of early retirements among West Indies players, like Pooran, could be attributed to the financial rewards offered by various global leagues. “There are five or six leagues around the world, and they are able to make a substantial amount of money playing in them,” Lara said. He compared the situation with boards from other major cricketing nations like England, Australia, and India, which he felt have done more to keep their players invested in national cricket.
Pooran’s Early Retirement a Setback for West Indies
Nicholas Pooran’s retirement has raised serious concerns about the future of West Indies cricket. Pooran, who burst onto the international scene in 2016, has represented the West Indies in 106 T20Is and 61 ODIs, scoring over 4,258 runs across both formats. His T20I career includes 2,275 runs, with an average of 26.14 and a strike rate of 136.39, while his ODI stats stand at 1,983 runs at 39.66 with a strike rate of 99.15, including three centuries and 11 fifties.
With the next T20 World Cup just eight months away, Pooran’s decision comes as a massive blow to the 2016 World Cup champions, further highlighting the challenges faced by the West Indies Cricket Board in retaining top talent. Pooran’s decision underscores the growing trend of players opting for more lucrative contracts in T20 leagues rather than focusing on international commitments.
As the West Indies team faces a future without Pooran, Lara’s comments about the board’s inability to retain players like him bring attention to the deeper issues within West Indies cricket. With players increasingly turning to global leagues, the challenge for the West Indies board to maintain loyalty to the national team is more urgent than ever.
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