We know the importance of moving up the rankings: Jason Holder
Jun 26, 2016 at 4:19 PM
West Indies ODI captain Jason Holder has emphasized the importance of moving up the rankings as West Indies look to clinch the tri-series in the final against Australia on Sunday.
The West Indies cricket is on the constant rise this year as they have T20 World Cup and continued the good form against No.1 Australia and No.4 South Africa in the ongoing series as they pipped South Africa in the last group match to qualify for the final. Captain Holder is very proud of their achievement in the series as they fought their way through.
“I’m extremely proud. A lot of the guys have been struggling with some niggles and it’s just good to see the guys fight through it,” Holder said.
As Bangladesh has overtaken both West Indies and Pakistan earlier, thanks to the brilliant cricket they have been playing over the last one year, West Indies who are currently 8th in ODI rankings with 94 rating points wants to keep winning to improve their ranking position in the upcoming months. Pakistan who are currently at 9th with 87 rating points are looking to break into top-8 as it would help them get an automatic qualification to 2019 world cup.
“We know the importance of this series and the importance of moving up the rankings. We’ve been criticised in the past for being stuck at No.7 and No.8. It’s important we keep making strides forward,” the skipper reckoned.
Holder also feels that the current group of players needs to stay together in the upcoming months as they are set to tour abroad.
“All I can urge is that the guys stay together. If we can keep this core group of players together, maybe make one or two changes or additions as we go abroad on tours, but I think it’s important for West Indies cricket that we keep a core group of players together and move forward with these guys, identify who we want to take forward and hopefully get the backing of everybody around us and keep these guys together.”
Marlon Samuels who have helped West Indies win T20 World Cup has been the top performer this series. Darren Bravo and Kieron Pollard hit top form last match as they knocked out South Africa in a virtual eliminator as West Indies looks to tame the mighty Aussies in the mega-finale.