Captain of the Trinbago Knight riders Kieron Pollard says that he stands by his players because that gives anyone confidence.
Pollard threw the ball to New Zealander Jimmy Neesham, the birthday boy on the night after he had conceded 50 runs from three overs. It was for him to defend 19 runs in the final over, but instead, he leaked 18 runs to Rayad Emrit and Alzari Joseph playing for the St. Kitts/Nevis Patriots.
The game went into a Super Over and TKR lost, as the Patriots (Carlos Brathwaite and Evin Lewis) racked up 18 runs from Muhammad Ali Khan, while the TKR responded with 5/1 after losing Darren Bravo who opened with skipper Pollard for the 19-run victory chase.
Pollard, who is captaining the TKR for the first time said: "I thought that things went pretty well when we batted. Alzarri bowled well after the first 10 overs to pull us back. I thought 216 was just about par, we could have got 20-30 more. It was a great game of cricket our boys fought hard. In hindsight, I could have bowled the last over, but he [Neesham] did the job for us a couple of nights ago. Yes, he had a bad day but I backed him. I could have maybe backed myself like Carlos here did tonight, but it's part and parcel of the game."
Pollard who had some bruising battles with the TKR in the past said that one thing he always admired was the way the management backed the players. "I use to try to figure out what was the secret to success when we play them. I have found out now since being with the team that togetherness is the key. These guys go out in the park knowing fully well that they are free to express themselves because they have the full support of the management. The players also back each other fully and this is great for any cricketer to receive. I have come in and we have continued in that way, which is great."
Guardian Media Sports understands that management had a chat with the injured Sunil Narine on Thursday and they are still not 100 per cent sure that he will play against the St. Lucia Zouks tomorrow night at the Darren Sammy International cricket ground.
He has been battling with a ligament injury to the middle finger of the right hand and he will be needed for some of the bigger matches at the end of the tournament.
Guardian Media Sports was informed that management has decided to monitor him and manage him throughout the tournament and use him only when necessary. The TKR has four wins out of five matches played and with the Zouks not being in their best form, Narine is more than likely to benefit from another rest day on Saturday.
The team has settled nicely at the Coco Palm hotel and will be at the ground this morning for a final training session ahead of the match. The track here is hard and bouncy, so the ball would come on nicely unto the bat, which will aid strokeplay. So runs are expected to be the order of the day. Ticket sales have been a bit sluggish but if the Zouks can conjure up a win over the Tridents in their first home game tonight, the crowds will be encouraged to show.