Holder: ‘We’ve got to hold our nerve and deliver’

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder has emphasized the need for clinical execution, if West Indies are to make an impact in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup.

The 32-year-old former West Indies Test and One-Day captain said while the Caribbean hosts had “really good chances” of winning the June 1-29 competition, it was critical they “delivered on the day,” despite the composition of the squad.

“I think like anybody else in the competition I think we’ve got really good chances,” he said.

“We’ll probably know the conditions better than anybody else. T20 cricket is one of those formats where it doesn’t matter the names on paper, it’s all about what you deliver on the day.”

“And it’s really important for us to start the competition well and set a really good precedent going throughout the entire competition.”

“We’ve got to hold our nerve, deliver, and enjoy doing what we’re doing. I think we wouldn’t be a West Indies team if we didn’t enjoy what we’re doing, and play the cricket we know how to play.”

Holder, a veteran of 64 Tests and 138 One-Dayers, is a key member of the West Indies T20 side, grabbing 53 wickets at an average of 26 from 46 matches over the last three years.

He added, “I think our prep coming into the World Cup when it comes to a match-play perspective has been really good.”

“We’ve won the last three out of four series and more than likely we’ll be going into this World Cup with (ourselves) in good spirits.”

“There’s lots of cricket going on, plenty of T20 cricket leading up to the World Cup, which a lot of boys will be involved in.

“For those not involved, there’s first class cricket going on here in the Caribbean and then I’m sure they’ll have a few camps before the start of the big tournament.

“So I think preparations-wise, I think we’ll be in good stead heading into this competition,” he said.