MICHAEL POLLARD

Club: North City

Wellington Firebirds debut: V Northern Knights at Hamilton 2009-10 (Ford Trophy One-Day match)

Best batting: 131 v Auckland, Wellington 2010-11 (first-class Plunket Shield)

Michael Pollard scored his maiden century in the first-class arena in February 2011 against Auckland, following a series of eye catching innings opening the batting for the Hell Wellington Firebirds in the 2010-11 HRV Cup Twenty20 in December, which included him scoring a swashbuckling maiden Twenty20 half century,

His 131 against Auckland at home at the Hawkins Basin Reserve was terrific reward for a dedicated season as a wider Firebirds squad member. Awarded one of two Cricket Wellington Rookie Contracts in 2011-12, Pollard went on to score his first domestic One-Day century in December 2011. Though recognised in the record books, Pollard’s Ford Trophy innings of 114 not out against the Central Stags in Napier was unable to set up victory as rain set in whilst he was at the crease and the game was eventually abandoned.

Former New Zealand U19 batsman Pollard scored 60 in his first-class Plunket Shield debut for the Firebirds against the Auckland Aces in February 2010. He also captained the Wellington U23s at the National tournament at Lincoln in January 2011.