ST JOHN’S, Antigua – West Indies Test captain Jason Holder is being rested by Cricket West Indies (CWI) to manage his workload for the upcoming season.
As a result, he was not named in the by the selection panel in the 14-man squad for the first and second One-Day Internationals of the Colonial Medical Insurance Series against Ireland. The day/night matches will be played at Kensington Oval on January 7 and 9, starting at 1:30 p.m. Barbados time.
Holder, the number one ranked all-rounder, number four ranked bowler in Test cricket and red ball West Indies captain, played all three formats in India.
“The decision was taken to rest Jason due to the heavy workload he has had over the last year,” said lead selector Roger Harper. “With an important year ahead for West Indies cricket, we saw this as the best opportunity to give him a break to recharge his batteries and refresh his mind so he could be ready to perform at his best as our Test captain throughout 2020, as the number one ranked all-rounder in Test cricket and an important member of the team in the white ball formats.”
He added: “The Afghanistan and Indian series told me that the team is making very positive strides. Winning the ODIs against Afghanistan, our first ODI series win for five years, followed by the very competitive performance in against India is testament to that. The team demonstrated a determination to compete and gave it every effort. Against India the batting was consistent and while the bowling had its moments, it is clear that we have to improve our ‘death’ bowling. However, the fact that the team played in such an organised and competitive manner consistently augurs well going forward.
“This series against Ireland offers us the opportunity to build on the performances in India, build confidence as a team and for individual players. Just like the series against Afghanistan, the Ireland series is an important one for us, one we must win.”
The panel also named a 13-man CWI President’s XI squad to face Ireland in a 50 over warm-up match at the Three Ws Oval at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies. This match will be played on Saturday, January 4. First ball is 9a.m. (8 a.m. Jamaica Time).
West Indies Squad: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Sunil Ambris, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keemo Paul, Khary Pierre, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd and Hayden Walsh Jr.
CWI President’s XI Squad: Daren Bravo (Captain), Sunil Ambris, Sheeno Berridge, Nkrumah Bonner, Dennis Bulli, Joshua DaSilva, Justin Greaves, Akeem Jordan, Brandon King, Yannick Ottley, Kieran Powell, Romario Shepherd and Oshane Thomas
Match Schedule
Saturday, January 4: warm-up vs CWI President’s XI – Three Ws Oval, Barbados
Tuesday, January 7: 1st Colonial Medical Insurance ODI – Kensington Oval, Barbados
Thursday, January 9: 2nd Colonial Medical Insurance ODI – Kensington Oval
Sunday, January 12: 3rd Colonial Medical Insurance ODI – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
Wednesday, January 15: 1st Sandals Resorts T20I – Grenada National Stadium
Saturday, January 18: 2nd Sandals Resorts T20I – Warner Park, St Kitts
Sunday, January 19: 3rd Sandals Resorts T20I – Warner Park (PR/SAT)
