Jason Holder has stressed on the importance of starting well against Sri Lanka in the upcoming first Test in Galle which begins on Wednesday.
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Important to start well against Sri Lanka - Jason Holder
West Indies Test captain Jason Holder has stressed on the importance of starting well against Sri Lanka in the upcoming first Test in Galle which begins on Wednesday.
Holder, who was recently appointed the captain of the Test side, expressed that it will be a special day for him when he leads the team for the first time in the longer format.
“It’s a special day for me (I will be) taking the field for the first time as (Test) captain.
“But for me it is bigger than me at this present time.”
But the 23-year-old was quick to put the team’s interests ahead of his own as he urged his bowlers to take early wickets to put pressure on the opposition.
“There is a new dimension to our team in terms of a young group.
“They (Sri Lanka) are kind of finding their way as well.
“It is important that we start well, put early pressure on them and make early inroads into their side.”
West Indies’ three-day tour game against Sri Lanka Board President’s XI was affected by rain, which also did not allow the visitors smooth practice sessions.
However, Holder is confident that they have prepared well and their aims are fixed on winning the series in Sri Lanka.
“So far we are happy.
“We have controlled what we can control.
“We had a bit of rain which upset our practice sessions a fair bit.
“But we are professionals.
“Going into this series, we all have our minds tuned into the game.
“It is important for our guys to make a mark for themselves.”
On Monday, West Indies bowling consultant and a great of the game, Sir Curtly Ambrose stated that it was important for the fast bowlers to bowl short spells in the hot weather conditions in Sri Lanka.
Admitting that it was not an easy task for the side to adapt to the humid conditions, Holder feels that his side have responded well so far.
“The hardest thing so far was adapting to the heat.
“We have done that pretty nicely.
“In the Caribbean it is pretty hot certain times of the year, and we try and embrace and enjoy it as much as possible.
“We got a fair bit of spin bowling so far since we have been here.
“I think the guys have adjusted well in the sense they have got accustomed to the spinners and the conditions.”
West Indies have a well balanced attack with pace bowlers like Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach, while their spin attack will be led by Devendra Bishoo.
Holder is of the view that in Sri Lanka, it will be important for the pace bowlers to adapt themselves skilfully to the conditions in order to succeed.
“We have a bit of pace in our attack.
“But I think skill comes into play.
“These conditions are pretty batting friendly and pace may not rattle many international batsmen.
“We have to be skilful and Jerome (Taylor) has exhibited that in the last few series.
“Hopefully whatever team we come up with in the first Test match in Galle; whoever gets selected does their best for the team.”
When Holder takes to the field on Wednesday against Sri Lanka, he will be the second youngest player to captain West Indies in Test cricket.
© Cricket World 2015
