Captain Holder says West Indies mentally exhausted

West Indies Captain, Jason Holder has alluded to “bubble fatigue” in the West Indies squad following their series whitewash to New Zealand earlier this month.

The highly-rated all-rounder said playing amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacted players mentally, especially with the challenge of “going from bubble to bubble” and having to undergo quarantine protocols in respective countries.

“It has been a tough year not only for the team but I know for me personally is has been tough,” Holder said following the innings and 12-run defeat in the second Test against New Zealand inside four days.

“I haven’t seen home in six months now. We’ve been going non-stop – we’ve had pay cuts – and it’s a situation where you’re still trying to make a living and still looking to make use of every opportunity that you get,” he told reporters.

“It will be good for the guys to get home for the Christmas and spend some time with their families. Hopefully some of them get there in time,” he added.

West Indies arrived in New Zealand on Oct. 30, spending some 18 months over a series comprising three Twenty20 Internationals and two Tests.

Some players, like Holder came from the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was also played under strict health protocols in the United Arab Emirates from Sept. 19 to Nov. 10.

Prior to the IPL, many of the West Indies players were involved in the Caribbean Premier League (CP)L), again played in a bio-secure “bubble” in Trinidad from Aug. 18 to Sept. 10.

Last June, Holder and an expanded Test squad arrived in England for the ground-breaking three-Test tour in July- the first to be played following the global lockdown of cricket due to COVID-19.

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