Harper says deposed captain Holder a source of inspiration for teammates

West Indies chief selector Roger Harper has praised deposed captain Jason Holder’s attitude during the recent Sri Lanka series, contending the all-rounder had been “exemplary” in his approach and a source of inspiration for his teammates.

The 29 -year-old Holder was fired as captain prior to the series and replaced by fellow Barbadian Kraigg Braithwaite, but remained a seminal figure throughout the two-test series which ended in a nil-nil stalemate on Good Friday.

He averaged 69 with the bat while scoring an unbeaten half-century in the second test, and also finished the series with seven wickets after taking a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the opening Test.

Harper said Holder had been the livewire and really handed things very well and in an exemplary fashion. He has continued to be the type of leader they know someone with his experience can be

One of the youngest ever Windies Test captains when he was appointed at age 23, Holder led the regional team in 37 of his 47 Tests-winning 11, losing 21 and drawing five games.

Holder had pulled out of the Bangladesh tour earlier this year and stand-in captain Brathwaite inspired a severely weakened side to a 2-0 whitewash.

Holder had cited personal reasons for opting out of the tour, citing COVID-19 concerns.

Harper said the decision to remove Holder as captain had been a sober one but had also been necessary in helping to maintain the new culture formed in Bangladesh.