Pollard hails ‘fantastic’ Allen

As the West Indies take on South Africa in today's third T20 International in Grenada, captain Kieron Pollard will be hoping that one of his trusted soldiers, Jamaican Fabian Allen, can come up with the goods once again to help the regional side take a two-one lead in the best of five series.

Pollard had nothing but adulation for the St Elizabeth native, who demonstrated his multifaceted skills in both encounters thus far.

Allen starred with the ball in the opening contest, bagging two wickets for 18 runs from his four overs to help restrict the South Africans, and set up the win for the hosts.

In game two, Allen who batted at number eight, came in and slammed a quick-fire 34 from just 12 balls including five massive sixes.

Despite the late flurry coming in a losing cause, Pollard believes Allen has adapted to his role in the team nicely, and it is only a matter of time before the all-rounder will become a hot property in the shorter format of the game.

"It's lovely to see Fabian doing well with the ball in the first game and then showing what he can do with the bat in the second match. He is a fantastic cricketer all-round."

"He has the ability to go far places, hence the reason why we have him around the set-up because we know what he can offer," said Pollard.

In 21 T20 matches for the West Indies, Allen has scored 179 runs and taken 16 wickets with the 34 against South Africa being a career-best.

In 17 one-day internationals for the West Indies, Allen has scored 158 runs, with a top score of 51, while taking five wickets with the best bowling figures of two for 40.

Already, Allen has been raising eyebrows on the T20 franchise circuit, having represented teams such as Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League as well as stint in the Pakistan Super League, the Bangladesh Premier League and the Caribbean Premier League.

Head coach Phil Simmons has described Allen as the best fielder in the region and Pollard is hoping that the 26-year-old left-arm spinner and right-hand batter can maximise his time in top-flight cricket.

"Long may his performances continue and let's hope that he continues to make use of the opportunities that he gets and it will all go well for him and West Indies cricket in the future."