Watching a perfect 20-over specialist get so totally demolished is an extremely rare sight, usually reserved for really bad off days. But, we saw a moment similar to this in The Hundred 2024’s Match 24. The imposing Kieron Pollard of the Southern Brave took a hammering from the respected master of modern spin bowling, Rashid Khan of the Trent Rockets.
The Braves’ chances looked bleak at the 80-ball point in the run chase, as they were struggling at a dangerous 78 for 6. Their challenging aim was to score forty-nine runs from the last twenty deliveries, with the powerful Rashid still to bowl his final set. Pollard, who had managed just six runs from 14 deliveries, was trapped in an atypically slow innings, which made their situation even worse.
But Pollard made the decision to act independently at that precise moment. He smashed five straight sixes in a breathtaking exhibition of power striking, sending the Afghan leg-spinner on an incredible journey and drastically changing the outcome of the game. The fifth was a stunning demonstration of raw power that sent the ball flying way beyond long-off, while the opening six was a perfect strike that was delivered effortlessly over cow corner.
Also Read: Watch: In the commentary box of The Hundred 2024, Kieron Pollard’s six nearly eliminates Kumar Sangakkara
Everyone at The Rose Bowl was in complete amazement at the event they had just watched as the crowd broke into a frenzy, as shown in the video supplied below.
Kieron Pollard hitting FIVE SIXES IN A ROW! 😱#TheHundred | #RoadToTheEliminator pic.twitter.com/WGIgPFRJAP
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 10, 2024
In addition to smashing Rashid’s bowling statistics with a brutal 40 runs conceded off his 20 deliveries, this merciless assault helped the Brave secure their fifth victory of the season with one ball remaining.
For *that* batting performance, your Meerkat Match Hero is Kieron Pollard 💥#TheHundred | #RoadToTheEliminator pic.twitter.com/PnNfitKEtP
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 10, 2024
The Player of the Match award went to the West Indian dynamo, who was rightfully recognized for his incredible feat of powerful hitting.