‘Anyone would be silly to write us off:’ Holder on England series

West Indies Test skipper Jason Holder warned one and all against taking them lightly when they lock horns against England in a much-anticipated three-Test series starting July 8.

The series will mark the resumption of cricket after the sport was halted across the world in March in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

West Indies had famously beaten England during the previous series between the two sides that was played in the Carribbean Islands. A draw in the series would be enough for them to retain the Wisden Trophy.

Holder said it is going to a competitive series and it won’t be wise to take them lightly despite England being a powerhouse on home soil.

“Anyone would be silly to write us off. It has happened in the past and we have made people eat their words. I’m confident we will do really well. I think this is going to be a really good series,” Holder told Nasser Hussain during an interview as per Daily Mail.

Three West Indies players, namely Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul, had earlier opted against traveling to UK for the series looking at the implications put forward by the COVID-19 crisis. Holder stated that their decision to do so must be respected as it would have a very difficult choice for them to make.

“Certainly from my perspective it won’t be. Everyone had a decision to make and a lot of our players have kids. I know that was the biggest challenge: leaving their kids at home to potentially be exposed to bringing the virus back home,” he said.

“I do wish the three players all the best and I know they will be at home supporting us. We are all one big family and we just have to do what we need to do here.”

WI’s Dowrich chasing twin targets: West Indies wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich is targeting a century and an average of 40 in the three-test series, the 28-year-old has said.

Dowrich managed only 24 runs in six innings in his 2017 tour of England and is determined to make amends.

“I consider myself a different player to what I was three years ago,” Dowrich told British media on Sunday.

“The last time I was here, it was very tough for me - it was a series that really changed around my career.

“Playing in England will always be a challenge, but I think I’m ready for it,” added Dorwich, who since 2018 has an average of 40, the highest by any wicketkeeper.

“I’d like to leave England with a test hundred, and I’m looking to average around 40 in this series,” he said.

“Scoring runs is always a challenge, but I think if you’re going to rate yourself as a player, you have to be able to do it. I think I’ve put in enough work to come away with something in the series.”

Agencies