West Indies pacer and former team captain Jason Holder has claimed he still has a lot more Test cricket left in him after the 32-year-old withdrew from an upcoming two-match Test series against Australia in Land Down Under . . He stated that the longest format of the game remains his top priority, but next year’s T20 World Cup at home is the reason why Jason Holder is reluctant to play Test cricket at the moment.
The Barbados-born Bowling All-Rounder believes playing more and more T20 cricket will help him prepare for the T20 World Cup next June. He is currently on duty with the West Indies national team and hosts defending World T20 champions England at home. West Indies, after winning the 3-match ODI series 2-1, went on to claim wins in the first 2 T20Is before losing the next 2 matches of a 5-match series.
The T20 series is currently tied 2-2 and is perfectly set for a final clash at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium tomorrow. Holder, as always, is playing a key role in the West Indies team, which will hope to add a third T20 World Cup title next year.
Meanwhile, for the Test series against Australia starting on January 17, West Indies added 7 uncapped players to the squad. Apart from Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers will be another big absentee from the Windies squad. It will not be an easy task for the West Indies to beat the reigning Test and One Day champions on their soil too.
‘By no means am I turning my back on Test cricket,’ says Jason Holder
While speaking about his decision to withdraw from the Test series against Australia, Jason Holder stated that he feels it is the right thing for him at the moment, in terms of cricket. He also said that although it was a difficult decision, Holder is happy to be transparent with the West Indies Cricket Board about his decision.
“By no means am I turning my back on Test cricket. It’s not a curtain call for me in Test cricket by any means. This is my first time going through something like this and I felt it was necessary to be as honest and open as possible with CWI. “It was a very difficult decision – I feel like this is the right decision for me at this time.” – said Jason Holder.
Jason Holder also stated that he is very happy to know that the T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the West Indies and the USA, which will be their first edition of the World Cup at home. “I have never played a World Cup at home: I really want to be part of it because I love playing in front of the fans in the Caribbean. I think we have a good chance of lifting the trophy… the cricket we have been playing in the last few months gives us a big boost so we can go there and do something special. Why wouldn’t I want to give myself the best opportunity to be a part of this? – concluded Jason Holder.
West Indies Test Team v Australia: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua DaSilva, Akeem Jordan, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Tevin Imlach, Shamar Joseph, Zachary McCaskie
