RE-SEND: Jason Holder preview to second Test Match

Wednesday, 15 July 2020 — Dear Editors and Correspondents

Please see below link to audio and video of West Indies captain Jason Holder’s preview to the second Test match against England in the #RaiseTheBat series. The world leading allrounder and Number 2 ranked bowler, said there is great anticipation in the camp ahead of the second contest, with a 1-0 lead following victory by four wickets in the first match at the Ageas Bowl, last Sunday. The second Test starts on Thursday at the historic Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.

Where: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

Time: 11am (6am Eastern Caribbean/5am Jamaica)

Where to watch: ESPN Caribbean

AccuWeather report for the Test Match: https://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/manchester/m15%206/weather-forecast/329260?partner=web_cwi_adc

Details to download preview to second Test here: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/9c8923375ef31284beb6beb2b708f9bb20200715123634/5ad424e81e8cd2c66fdd94f8313f163a20200715123708/83d5f2

The summary of these interviews on this tour can be found at www.windiescricket.com

“The bowling has been solid, not just last match but for a few years. I just want the bowlers to remain consistent and patient. We had some starts from the batsmen in the first match. What we need is for them to kick on and get that big score. We’re still to get a hundred with the bat, we’ve had a few starts and got a few half-centuries. It’s more for the batters to convert a few more starts which they got in that first Test. All the batsmen are doing their best to prepare for this encounter. We set up to play Test match, you want to capitalize in the first innings. We are going through the same processes as first Test. To post a good first innings total and take it from there,” Holder said.

The 28-year-old has maintained his position as the leading allrounder in the Test format and also moved up to Number 2 in the bowling rankings when he took seven wickets in the first match. He is joined in the Top 20 by team-mates Kemar Roach (16th) and Shannon Gabriel (18th).

Holder added: “It was good that we had a couple of weeks here (at Old Trafford) where we had our camp before the first Test. Now, for us to come throughout the next few weeks to better understand the conditions in Manchester. There series is still wide open, there is still ten days of cricket. We won’t get ahead of ourselves. This is about step by step, day by day. We know the job ahead … we know what is required. Winning the first Test match is just one piece of the puzzle. We’ve got two other games to play. We’ve got control of the cricket we play, that’s the only thing I’m going to spoon-feed the guys in the dressing room – how are we going to win a cricket game? Afterwards we can look back and feel pleased with whatever we achieve as a group.”

West Indies played their first Test match against England in June 1928. To date West Indies have played 546 matches – with 175 wins, 195 defeats, 175 draws and the famous tie against Australia at the Gabba in December, 1960. West Indies have played England on 158 occasions – West Indies won 58, England won 49 with 51 drawn.

At Old Trafford, West Indies played their first Test on July 21, 1928 – they have played at the venue on 15 occasions – won 5, lost 6 and drawn 4. The most successful batsman at the venue for West Indies is Gordon Greenidge who made three centuries – 223 in 1984; and 134 and 101 in 1974. The best bowling for West Indies is 8-104 by 20-year-old Alf Valentine in 1950; followed by Malcolm Marshall with 7-22 in 1988 and debutant Daren Sammy with 7-66 in 2007.

Test Squad: Jason Holder (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach
Reserves: Sunil Ambris, Joshua DaSilva, Keon Harding, Kyle Mayers, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Anderson Phillip, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican

MATCH SCHEDULE #RaiseTheBat Test Matches

July 8-12: 1st Test at Ageas Bowl, Southampton – West Indies won by 4 wickets

July 16-20: 2nd Test at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

July 24-28: 3rd Test at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

Fans around the world can watch the series:

Caribbean: ESPN Caribbean

North America: DAZN/Willow

UK & Europe: Sky Sports (highlights and digital clips on BBC and ECB digital platforms)

Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport

Indian Sub-Continent: Sony Ten

Middle East and North Africa: BeIN Sport

South East Asia: Fox Sports Asia