Chemar Holder ready to fulfill childhood dream...

Chemar Holder is excited and ready for his first tour with the West Indies team. The 22-year-old fast bowler has been selected for the upcoming trip to Engnad as the West Indies embark on the Sandals Test Tour 2020 – where they will play three Test matches.

 Holder, who was coached by Collis King at his alma mater St Leonard’s School, was over the moon when got the news that he would making the tour and credited his family for playing a major role in his journey. He was the leading fast bowler in the West Indies Championship with 36 wickets in eight matches at 18.91 each, and was one of the successful ICC Under-19 World Cup winning side in 2016. 

 “I got a lot of help from my family. If things are not going well, they always keep my head up and tell me don’t worry about certain things. I always get support from them. My grandmother (Marva Holder) stood up all night and watched me through the Under-19 World Cup (in 2016). So, every time I play, I remember her and I know she would be happy if she was alive today.”

“I’ve worked very hard to reach this point, but this is just the beginning. The tour of England will be another stepping stone towards my dream of being a top-quality Test cricketer. I’ve played with most of the guys in this squad before so I believe I will fit in very well.”

 Holder also spoke about his development in the game.

 “When I was younger my nickname was ‘Ambi’ after Sir Curtly Ambrose. I patterned myself after the great man and he is my favourite cricketer. I admired the way he played the game and his level of seriously throughout everything he did. There are many things to admire and respect about him but most of all I liked to see his control, the way he set up the batsmen and ability to get wickets at crucial times.”

 “I wanted to make a breakthrough in the first-class tournament earlier this year and I felt I did that which led to me making the tour to England. I set a target of 40 wickets and I managed to get close, but I was most satisfied with the way I bowled and my control and ability to get the breakthrough with the new ball.”

 The Sandals-sponsored West Indies are scheduled to arrive in Manchester on June 9 and will be based in Manchester for a three-week period before moving to Southampton for the first Test at the Ageas Bowl. They will then return to Manchester for the second and third matches at Old Trafford.