West Indies tour of Sri Lanka:

Jason Holder named West Indies Test captain

All-rounder Jason Holder has replaced wicketkeeper batsman Denesh Ramdin as the captain of the West Indies Test team. He will start his tenure as skipper with the the two-match series in Sri Lanka next month. Holder only made his Test debut last year, and has played only eight Tests, but is held in high regard in cricketing circles for his abilities. He has been skippering the West Indies ODI side since December, last year.

Having made an impact as captain during the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last year, Holder made his mark in the longest format with a maiden century against England. That knock helped West Indies force a draw. Holder followed that up with three for 15 in the third Test enabling the Caribbean outfit to claim a series-levelling victory.

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said Holder’s appointment as captain was a unanimous one amongst the board’s directors. “He is a young man that all of the selectors, people in the Caribbean and worldwide believe has several of the qualities that can take our team forward,” said head selector, Clive Lloyd.

“We felt the time was right for a change and we feel he will do as well as he did when he was elevated to the position of One-day International captain ahead of the World Cup. We had a number of detractors when he was appointed ODI captain, but he showed during the ODI series in South Africa and the World Cup that he had the qualities that were needed to take our team forward. We expect to get new thinking and new dynamism from him. 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.”Holder takes over from Ramdin, who led the Windies Test side for 13 Tests, which included four wins and two draws. Ramdin has tallied 69 Tests in his career so far. Lloyd said he spoke to Ramdin and the wicketkeeper batsman understands the need to move forward.

“I have spoken to Denesh and he understood the situation and there was no animosity,” said Lloyd. “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.”

Kraigg Brathwaite was named the side’s vice-captain for their two-Test trip to Sri Lanka, who themselves are going through a transition period. The uncapped duo of Jomel Warrican and Carlos Brathwaite were also called up for the Tests..West Indies will reach Sri Lanka early in October and play their Tests at Galle and Colombo.

This will be then followed by a three-match ODI series and two T20 matches.

West Indies Test side: Jason Holder (c), Kraigg Brathwaite (vc), 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