England Vs West Indies 2020, 1st Test: Jason Holder Was Surprised To See Stuart Broad’s Exclusion
Jul 15, 2020 at 2:25 AM
The exclusion of the senior English pacer Stuart Broad was one of the most talking points during the international cricket return, which was the recently concluded Southampton Test between England and West Indies. Even West Indies Test captain Jason Holder was also surprised to see the omission of Broad from that opening Test of England’s new home season.
Stuart Broad was one of the most consistent performers among the English Test cricketers in the last few years. He was England’s highest wicket-taker during the Ashes 2019 at home and the last Test series against the hosts South Africa. But the 34-year-old pacer missed out the Southampton Test, where West Indies won by four wickets. It was his first home Test missing after 2012 as he appeared in 51 successive home Tests.
Though Jason Holder was a little surprised to see the exclusion of Broad from the playing XI of the Southampton Test, the Caribbean Test captain had no doubt about their quality pace bowling attack during that Test match.
Holder recently wrote in his column for Daily Mail, “I was a little surprised England didn’t pick Stuart Broad. His record, particularly in this country, is outstanding and I thought they would leave out either Jofra Archer or Mark Wood. But they put out a high quality attack, that’s for sure. It was the first time we have played a Test against Jofra and he was eager to get going against us and we were eager to get going against him.”
While England were bundled out for 204 runs in the first innings of that Southampton Test, Holder fulfilled his dream to claim a fifer in England by picking up six wickets in that innings. His bowling figures in that innings were 20-6-42-6.
Holder wrote, “Taking six wickets in the first innings fulfilled a personal ambition for me because I have always wanted to take a five-for in England and dreamt about getting on the Lord’s honours board in this series.”
My next big aim is to make a hundred in England: Jason Holder
Now, Jason Holder’s next big aim is to score a century in England. The Caribbean Test captain also talked about his success against English all-rounder and stand-in Test captain Ben Stokes in both the English innings of that Test.
Holder claimed, “My next big aim is to make a hundred in England. A bit has been made about me taking on Ben Stokes in the battle of the all-rounders but getting him out twice in Southampton was enough for me without worrying about making any points.”
Holder also praised the English all-rounder Stokes and mentioned him as a great competitor.
The Caribbean Test captain added, “Stokesey is a great competitor and an excellent cricketer so to get someone of his caliber twice was great for the team. It really isn’t about individuals. It’s about the collective and what we are trying to achieve on this tour.”
After winning the Southampton Test, the visitors West Indies are leading this three-match Test series by 1-0 with two to go. Old Trafford (Manchester) will host the next two matches of this series from 16th and 24th July respectively.