Why Jason Holder is the man to carry West Indies forward

Holder has been immensely contributing with the bat

There is little cause for excitement in West Indies cricket at the moment. Two convincing losses have extended their Test drought against Australia to a decade, while the newcomers tipped to succeed the old guard have so far fallen well short of expectations. The once fearsome Caribbean outfit is now all too often tamed - alarmingly easily at times.

It must, therefore, come as a huge relief to see the emergence of such an all-round talent in Jason Holder. The lanky 23-year-old Barbadian is already demonstrating his capabilities with bat and ball and, if that wasn't enough, he also possesses an aura as a leader; somebody who can carry West Indies with gusto into the new generation.

On occasions, he has appeared the lone fighter in West Indies’ home Test series against England and Australia this summer – two innings in contrasting situations have stood out.

Delivering at times of adversity

His maiden professional century came in the heat of battle in Antigua back in April, a gutsy fifth-day effort that thwarted England’s hopes of pinching the opening Test. Holder, coming in his with his side reeling at 189-6, played positively in an unbeaten knock of 103 that featured 15 boundaries to hoist them to safety at 350-7. Had there been more time remaining, it wasn’t unfeasible that he could anchor the team to the further 88 runs needed for victory – Holder had sapped the life out of England, asserting such assured dominance.

Against Australia, a different task was at hand. Instead of saving the match, West Indies were simply looking to save face and avert a humiliating follow-on. With another 56 required and the side eight down, Holder was once again left to mop up the mess the more recognised batsmen had created. In typical Caribbean character, he rocketed to 82 not out from 63 balls, sending 14 of them to the fence – two without bouncing. He completed his objective.

Ultimately, it was irrelevant as the Aussies stormed to a 277-run win, but none of that detracts from the immense fight shown by Holder. When all others have crumbled, he has valiantly battled to keep himself and his teammates afloat. That he has not succeeded is not a failure that can be attributed to him.

Similar to Sammy?

Many comparisons can be drawn between Holder and Darren Sammy – in stature, mentality and ability. Both show a boyish enthusiasm despite not being blessed with oodles of natural flair and, while they each have limitations, their determination to eke every last ounce out of their game cannot be disputed.

Sammy managed to mastermind a historic success in the 2012 World Twenty20, firing belief into a group of underachievers. As has become commonplace for the West Indies, the skill is often there, it’s the lack of application that has found them wanting. Sammy harnessed that potential, Holder seems the obvious candidate to carry the maroon baton forward.

It is clear Holder is being groomed for long-term captaincy, having already been given the reins in the 50-over format. His World Cup experience was a learning curve; the early defeat to Ireland was an embarrassing result, and he suffered badly during the quarter-final against co-hosts New Zealand in Wellington, as Martin Guptill blasted West Indies into submission.

Holder and Sammy have similar traits

But even in that match, Holder’s commitment ensured he shone through the mediocrity. An outstanding running catch accounted for the key wicket of Brendon McCullum early on, and a swashbuckling cameo in the dying phases of the chase spoke volumes of his heart. He now has the challenge of injecting such desire into the rest of the team.

The Test side is in the midst of a painful transition – one that shows no signs of ending soon. Chief selector Clive Lloyd has spoken with clarity about the direction he intends to take. Dropping veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul was a decision made swiftly, if perhaps recklessly – they could arguably benefit from two decades of experience and stability right now, even if his form has slackened.

The fragility of the batting was exposed repeatedly against Australia as they failed to surpass 220 once in four attempts, indeed their average innings total in the series languished below 175. However, since the board have decided to concentrate on “younger players”, it makes sense to entrust Holder with further responsibility – promotion in the batting order as well as the captain’s armband.

Surviving the Twenty20 boom

West Indies have suffered the most from Twenty20’s global boom. It's not that Caribbean cricketers don't want to play cricket anymore, many are just indifferent over whether they represent West Indies or not. Chris Gayle, the region's best batsman, has declared himself unfit for the rigours of Test matches, but in fine fettle to go globetrotting and partake in various T20 extravaganzas.

In five Tests this summer, West Indies’ highest opening partnership was 35. Had Gayle, a senior player, chosen to preserve himself for the five-day game, perhaps that would have been different. And if he no longer wants to compete in the format, then he should announce his retirement from it, instead of leaving his side in limbo. An arrangement where Gayle is able to fit in and out of the Test squad will only be detrimental to the team’s progress.

Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine are other strong examples of players prepared to put cash over country - it's a scenario that doesn't bode well for the game's international future.

Youngsters are more likely to have been inspired by a Gayle blitz in a Royal Challengers Bangalore shirt, than they are from one of Chanderpaul’s gritty vigils. That isn’t a criticism of them, but it suggests West Indian cricket has lost its glamour. Even their deserved World T20 triumph has failed to capture the imagination. During their heydays, wearing the crest that carried the dreams of the sun-drenched islands was as of much cultural importance as it was sporting. That pride has now gone.

With that in mind, it is paramount that Holder is kept on board. The boy from Barbados has to create his own dynasty, and with it, usher in a new era, one that can restore West Indies to their rightful, lofty place. It’s a job few will envy.