Kohler-Cadmore lauds “special talent” Pooran ahead of Roses clash

Stand-in captain Tom Kohler-Cadmore has called his Yorkshire Vikings team-mate Nicholas Pooran a “special talent”.

Kohler-Cadmore, 24, is captaining the Yorkshire Vikings in the T20 Blast whilst regular captain Steven Patterson undergoes a period of rest.

The 23-year-old West Indian batsman is currently at Headingley for a five-match spell as an overseas batsman in the T20 Blast.

In Yorkshire’s two completed matches so far Pooran has compiled 79 runs after innings of 67 and 12 against Leicestershire and Derbyshire respectively.

Following his latest innings, 67 off 28 balls in a total of 255/2 against Leicestershire, Kohler-Cadmore is convinced of Pooran’s talent.

“If we had him for a full season, the crowds would come in just to watch him, that’s how good he is,” Kohler-Cadmore said.

“From what I’ve seen, he’s one of the most talented cricketers I’ve ever played with.

“The ability he has to strike the ball, but it’s not just clean hitting, it’s the different areas he hits.

“We saw (against Leicestershire) how powerful he is, and I was lucky to watch it from the other end. He is a very, very special talent.

“His bat swing is so quick that even when he doesn’t middle it, it still goes. He has such power for a little guy. His hand speed is so good.

“His first ball the other day against Derbyshire from Matt Critchley, most people would have just knocked it for one. But he’s there ready to whack it out of the park because of how quick his feet and hands are. He just picks up length so well.”

Pooran had been out of cricket for over a year after suffering severe leg injuries during a crash in 2015.

However, he has made a remarkable comeback to professional cricket with former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson even comparing him to a young Chris Gayle.

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Yorkshire Vikings will be hoping Pooran can showcase the full extent of his talents when they face Lancashire in the Roses match on July 25.

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