Jason Holder Tips Windies to Come Out with Positive Mindset in Leeds Test
Dec 31, 2018 at 1:59 PM
The Windies skipper Jason Holder, who was severely criticized after receiving a humiliating drubbing against hosts in the day-and-night game of the first Edgbaston Test of three-match series revealed Caribbean unit would come out with a different mindset, in a bid to compete against a quality side.
“I think over the last few days we’ve got guys opening up their minds to change,” Holder was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
Ahead of the Leed’s Test, Holder feels the patience would hold a key while making the admission that bowlers are supposed to step-up to contribute as much as they can and the batters have to give a hard fight to make things competitive.
“We think it’s more of a patience thing, with our bowlers having a consistent plan and sticking to it, and for our batsman to get stuck in and fight it out,” Holder added.
The fast bowling all-rounder Holder believes the second Test in Leeds won’t be that easy while banking on the inexperienced side.
“It’s not going to be easy. We’re coming up against a very good side and are relatively inexperienced,” Holder maintained.
Owing to the tough approach, the 25-year-old Barbados-born hinted the visitors are looking to make some changes before taking the field at Headingley in the second Test of the ongoing series.
“We’re going to be tinkering with a few things going into the second Test,” Holder maintained.
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Moreover, Windies side has been written off by its former cricketers after witnessing the lowest ebb of the team, in Tests and ODIs respectively.
“The guys have really come together as we liked and we’re looking forward to the match,” Holder further revealed.
Admitting the fact of being done and dusted in the Edgbaston Test following the heavy loss, Holder feels they were miserable throughout the three days, as Windies lost 19 wickets on a single day.
“Edgbaston wasn’t the best showing, but it’s important we rally and stay together through hard times and this is a difficult time as a group,” Holder remarked.
Following the bashing from certain quarters, Windies side wrestled it out in the nets to give their best on the British Isles.
“We had a few days off, and spoke about a number of things,” Holder further added.
The reports suggested Windies players have been closely working with Steven Sylvester, who is a psychologist for sports, in order to leave behind the bad memories of the first three days of the Test held on August 17 (Thursday).
“We tried to do a lot more team bonding stuff to bring the guys closer, and I must say it’s been a wonderful few days off,” Holder concluded.
Earlier, cricketer-turned-commentator Michael Holding has also slammed the side for the timid approach in the ongoing series against in-form England.
Not having much of an experience on his back in the red-ball cricket, Holder has featured in 24 Tests, as he bagged 42 wickets and scored 994 runs. He has smashed a hundred and six fifties in 42 Test innings.