West Indies aim to grab momentum against South Africa

Jason Holder

Johannesburg, Jan 18 (IANS) New One-Day International (ODI) captain Jason Holder has said that the West Indies urgently need to address a problem of retaining momentum as they prepare to battle South Africa in the second ODI here on Sunday.

The West Indies relinquished favourable positions on several occasions to lose the rain-hit opening ODI against South Africa by 61 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method on Friday.

Holder suggested that the West Indies would attempt to address the problems as part of their preparations for the second ODI at New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

"So, I think it is a serious area we need to address," said the young captain.

"Once we address that, we would be in a much better position for the second one day."

West Indies are likely to replace Leon Johnson with Lendl Simmons, who was not included in the side for the opening fixture.

Johnson was drafted in to bat at No.3 in Durban but was out for a duck.

Holder's men are expected to rely on flamboyant opener Chris Gayle to give them momentum after he cut loose again with 41 off 24 balls in the first ODI.

But the captain, while justifying the reliance on Gayle, says he is confident that other batsmen are capable of stepping up.

"We have quite capable batsmen. Marlon Samuels has done well for us over the past two years. We have got Dwayne Smith who has been in rich form coming off the last tour of India," he said.

"So we have got guys who are capable of scoring runs; however, at this present time, Chris seems to be in a very good form, so Chris has to be depended on in terms of taking up the mantle."