West Indies One Day International captain Jason Holder keeps getting better with time. He is the definition of a rising star. This 23 year old right-hand batsman and medium-fast bowler has only played a handful of games, but already knows how to win and save matches.
It takes some cricketers years to establish an international career but it took Holder just one first-class game before being called up to play in the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand where he was the team’s leading wicket-taker with 13 wickets.
Holder was appointed West Indies' ODI captain during their 2014-15 tour of South Africa. Although West Indies lost the ODI series, Holder was good in his new role.
Every captain looks forward to their first victory at the helm, and facing a ruthless South African team, a victory was hard to come by. However, Andre Russell handed Holder his first victory as captain during the tour.
Some might argue that making a young player captain could be a recipe for failure. However, the West Indies went ahead and decided to make young Holder the captain of a team in tatters. The aim was to grow in the role, and it didn’t take long for Holder to embody the image of a captain. He talks like a captain and exudes confidence.
Holder said,
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There’s been criticism, but I’m proud of the way I’ve stood up. I’m not one to shy away from responsibility or duck my head when things get tough.
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About the captaincy Holder said, “I expected a tough job when I accepted the captaincy and it’s been a tough time but I’ve learned a lot in terms of managing our players and trying to get the best out of them.”
Holder’s World Cup can be described as average. His batting was better than his bowling. On the one hand, he scored two half centuries, in addition to a 42, and did not bat on 3 occasions. On the other hand, he took 9 wickets which included a four wicket haul.
He’s had some tough times as captain, losing more matches than he’s won. Remember when AB de Villiers scored a bulk of the 104 runs Holder conceded? Talk about a tough test.
Speaking of tests, in the current England tour of the West Indies, Holder scored an unbeaten 103 to force a draw in James Anderson’s 100th Test match, not even a year after his Test debut. This was also his maiden Test century that came in four matches, a good way to save the match, and better than his 16 runs in the first innings.
This is only the beginning of what promises to be great career, as both captain and player.