New South Wales target brutal Pollard

Roar power: Kieron Pollard is satisfied after thumping New South Wales in the second round © Global Cricket Ventures-BCCI

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New South Wales are trying to lure Kieron Pollard, the big-hitting West Indian allrounder, to Sydney for Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition. Pollard was responsible for beating the Blues with 54 off 18 deliveries in a preliminary game in the Champions League, but when he was dismissed for 26 in Friday's final it signalled the end of Trinidad and Tobago's push.

Pollard hit 14 sixes during the tournament and is hopeful of joining New South Wales during the summer. ''We've had some good chats to him, and he's keen," Dave Gilbert, Cricket New South Wales' chief executive, told the Sun-Herald. "I'm sure there's a lot of other states who'll want him as well. We'll see what happens, but fingers crossed."

Simon Katich, the state captain, joked an offer was made shortly after Pollard thrashed them in the second round. ''I think the contract was on the table about 10 minutes after that innings finished and he won the game for them,'' Katich said. ''Hopefully we might have him in our ranks come January next year.''

The Blues' first game of the domestic tournament is against Tasmania on December 30 and Gilbert is certain Pollard would be a good buy. ''He is just a massive talent, someone who can hit the ball into orbit - people want to watch that," he said. "I'm glad we've seen the back of him for the moment but I'm very happy at the prospect of him in a Blues shirt, believe me.''