BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE selectors of Cricket West Indies (CWI) have sacked Jason Holder as Captain of the men’s team ahead of the Test series against the visiting Sri Lankans.
Holder’s captaincy came under the microscope following the Caribbean side’s victory in the Test series against Bangladesh last month, after he and other senior players were absent and the selectors had to send a second-string team of junior players.
That side was led by another Barbadian, Kraigg Brathwaite, who is now tasked with leading the side during the series that starts later this month.
Confirmation of Holder’s sacking was made lat last evening (Mar. 11) in a media statement from CWI to reporters across the region.
In that statement, Jimmy Adams, CWI Director of Cricket, reflected on the role Holder played as captain: “On behalf of CWI, I would like to thank Jason for all he has given to the game in the region while serving as Captain of our Test team. Throughout his five-and-a-half-year tenure, he has led with dignity while always upholding the highest values of the sport. As the world’s leading Test all-rounder, we all believe that Jason still has a tremendous role to play in West Indies Test Cricket for many years to come.”
Roger Harper, CWI Lead Selector, said: “We all believe that Kraigg is the right man to lead our Test side at this point in time and I’m delighted that he has accepted the role. In the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Kraigg was able to motivate his players to play to a very high level and create the culture we are looking to establish where the team showed a collective determination to fight and a real hunger for success.”
Kraigg Brathwaite said he felt proud and humbled that the Board and Selectors have given him the opportunity and responsibility to lead the team.
“The recent Test series win in Bangladesh was a fantastic achievement and I’m really looking forward to the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka and I’m excited about what I believe this team can achieve in the future,” he added.
CWI disclosed that the squad for the two-Test series would be announced today during the interval of the second CGI Insurance ODI at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
