West Indies chief selector Roger Harper said that all-rounder despite losing the red-ball captaincy after five-and-a-half years in the all-rounder Jason Holder is still an integral part of the side.
Cricket West Indies on Thursday relieved Jason Holder of his Test captaincy duties and named Kraigg Braithwaite as their new Test captain.
Kraigg Braithwaite led the West Indies side to a 2-0 series victory in Bangladesh in absence of Jason Holder, who was one of several players who opted not to tour Bangladesh because of Covid-19 related concerns.
Jason Holder was handed Test captain back in 2015 and he led West Indies in 37 matches with 11 wins, 21 losses, and 5 draws.
After being removed from the Test captaincy, Jason Holder was named in the squad for the first of the two-match Test series at home against Sri Lanka.
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While talking to ESPNCricinfo Cricket West Indies chief selector Roger Harper commended Jason Holder for taking up the arduous job of captaincy at a young age and performing 'creditably'.
"We must appreciate what Jason has done as captain. He came in at a very young age, took the captaincy at a time when the team was a little unsettled, and he grew with the job and performed creditably. He's had his moments of success and he has grown as a player as well to become the leading all-rounder in the world," Roger Harper told ESPNCricinfo.
Harper said that Jason Holder is an integral part of the West Indies going forward. He added that it’s an opportunity for him to take his game to a higher level.
"I really think that Jason is a very integral part of the Test team and West Indies cricket going forwards. He plays all three formats and I think it's an opportunity for him to really focus on taking his game to higher levels. I think that with him at his best and with Kraigg given the captaincy, it's an opportunity for the team to move forwards," he said.
Harper further said that Holder is ready to provide Brathwaite all the support he needs and the two players having a close relationship is a good thing for West Indies cricket.
"I look forward to him performing exceptionally well in his role as a player and still as a leader as one of the senior players in this team. It was great to hear him say that he's committed to giving Kraigg all the support needed and hearing the new captain saying that they have a very close relationship. I think that augurs very well for West Indies cricket going forward," he concluded.
The first Test match between West Indies and Sri Lanka will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium from March 21-25.
(EPSNCricinfo/ ANI inputs)
