“We expect to get new thinking and new dynamism from him”
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West Indies pace bowler Jason Holder has replaced wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin as Test captain for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which starts on October 14.
According to a West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) release, the decision to make Holder captain “was recommended by the selection panel and endorsed unanimously by the directors during a teleconference meeting on Wednesday”.
Chief selector Clive Lloyd backed the decision to give Holder the extra responsibility on top of being ODI skipper. Lloyd, a brilliant captain in his own right, added that it was “the right time for a change” and is confident that Holder will rise up to the occasion in Sri Lanka.
“We expect to get new thinking and new dynamism from him,” Lloyd, who confirmed that opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite has been named vice-captain, said. “Jason commands respect. He is a fine young man, very intelligent and he seems to get the best from the players because he is a straightforward guy. I think the players will warm to him. He has a young bunch of players and we feel he can guide them in the manner that is required for internationals.
“We do not want to any captain to lead in all three formats just now. It would be quite burdensome on anyone. We think we can have a separate Twenty20 captain.”
Lloyd also took the opportunity to laud Ramdin for everything he accomplished during his tenure as skipper and made it clear that “there was no animosity” between both parties when Ramdin was stripped of the captaincy.
“I have spoken to Denesh and he understood the situation and there was no animosity,” Lloyd said. “We just want him to perform a little bit better right now, particularly with the bat, and give of his best and support the new captain.”
It comes as no surprise that the West Indies have turned to Holder as Test captain as he proved his worth during the 2015 World Cup, where he stepped up with the bat and ball on numerous occasions.
However, the 23-year-old proved that he is not a one-hit wonder by doing the exact same thing during the Test series against England and Australia on home soil. During the Test series against England, Holder made a match-saving 103 not out in the first Test in Antigua. Against Australia, he scored a valiant 82 not out in the first innings of the second Test in Jamaica.
Meanwhile, in regards to the team the West Indies will field for their series against Sri Lanka, it has been confirmed that the uncapped duo of Carlos Brathwaite and left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican will be part of the 15-man squad, while Veerasammy Permaul was the only player to be dropped.
Prior to departing for Sri Lanka, the West Indies will undergo an eight-day preparatory camp in Barbados from September 20.
West Indies squad: Jason Holder(captain), Kraigg Brathwaite (vice-captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajindra Chandrika, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Denesh Ramdin , Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Jomel Warrican