Jason Holder Archives

Jason Holder urges ‘change’ after India-Pakistan trophy row

Former West Indies captain and pacer Jason Holder has weighed in on the Asia Cup trophy row between India and Pakistan, urging players from both nations to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap.

Holder expressed his views on India and Pakistan during the podcast ‘Game On With Grace’.

The 34-year-old was asked what had changed his mind on sports recently, and he recalled the Asia Cup Trophy saga between India and Pakistan.

“I don’t like this whole India and Pakistan beef. They are two powerhouses in world cricket and to see how things have transpired, it’s just sad,” he replied to host Grace Hayden, daughter of former Australian opener Matthew Hayden.

“I saw India win the Asia Cup and they didn’t go to accept the trophy. I think it’s too much; these things should not be in our game,” Holder maintained.

He urged cricketers to help change the hostile environment, noting that players are the game’s ideals and ambassadors.

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“Especially if we [cricketers] are ambassadors for the world. If we are talking about world peace and making the world a better place, that’s not what you want to see from your idols.

If you are inspiring a generation and inspiring a world, then we have to find a way to come together. I get it, there’s a long history behind it. But if it is to change than we have to come together because we have the influence,” he concluded.

For the unversed, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated in May 2025, with both neighbours on the brink of a full-scale war following the Pahalgam attack.

The situation led to the postponement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), before spilling over into a handshake and trophy row during the ACC Men’s Asia Cup later that year.

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Alzarri Joseph ruled out of India tour, Holder declines selection

ST JOHN’S: West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out of the two-match Test series against India due to a lower back injury.

According to the Cricket West Indies (CWI), Joseph experienced discomfort, and follow-up scans revealed the degeneration of a lower back injury.

“Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out of the upcoming test series against India due to a lower back injury,” the CWI wrote on X.

Following the 28-year-old’s injury, West Indies approached all-rounder Jason Holder, who is currently featuring in the T20I series against Nepal in the UAE.

However, he declined to be part of the squad, citing a planned medical procedure. Jason Holder last Test appearance came against
South Africa at Providence in August 2024.

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Subsequently, Jedia Blades, who is yet to make his Test debut, has been called up to the side. The 23-year-old is also in the UAE and will join the squad after completing the three-match series against Nepal.

For the unversed, Joseph is the second fast bowler to be ruled out of the series. Last week, ace pacer Shamjar Joseph was ruled out with an injury, with uncapped Johann Layne named as his replacement.

The injuries have left a void in the West Indies fast bowling attack, with Jayden Seales the only one to have played more than ten Tests.

Notably, this will be the West Indies’ first tour of India since 2018. The opening Test is scheduled to begin in Ahmedabad on October 2, whereas the second match is slated to commence in Delhi from October 10.

Updated West Indies squad for India Test series

Roston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Johann Layne, Jediah Blades, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales

READ: India refuse Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

Jason Holder ruled out of T20 World Cup, replaced by Obed McCoy

ANTIGUA: Allrounder Jason Holder has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and has been replaced by left-arm pacer Obed McCoy, confirmed Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Sunday.

Holder, who led the West Indies in the ODI World Cup 2019, suffered an undisclosed injury during the County Championship, where he is part of Worcestershire.

“Jason is an experienced player in our set-up. His absence will undoubtedly be felt both on and off the field,” chief selector Desmond Haynes said. “We look forward to having a fully fit Jason with us again soon.

“While it is unfortunate to lose a player of Jason’s calibre, we are confident in the abilities of Obed McCoy.

“Obed has shown remarkable skill and promise in his performances, and this opportunity will allow him to further showcase his talent on the international stage. We believe he will bring a fresh and dynamic energy to the squad.”

McCoy featured in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa, taking five wickets in three games.

Prior to that, he was the highest wicket-taker for West Indies A on the tour of Nepal, claiming eight wickets in five games at an average of 18.

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CWI also announced five reserve players for the mega-event, which they will co-host with the United States of America (USA) from June 1.

Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh and Andre Fletcher will be reserve players for West Indies.

“We are fortunate to have such depth and quality in our ranks,” head coach Daren Sammy said.

“Our reserve players are all A-class talents who have proven their abilities in various formats of the game, but certainly T20. Each one of them is fully capable of slotting into the team seamlessly should the situation arise.”

West Indies will start their campaign against Papua New Guinea (PNG) on June 2 before taking on Uganda, New Zealand and Afghanistan respectively in the group stage.

West Indies Squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope, Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd, Obed McCoy, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford

Traveling reserves: Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, Andre Fletcher

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Holder lifts West Indies and frustrates South Africa

JOHANNESBURG: Former captain Jason Holder lifted a struggling West Indies and frustrated South Africa with an innings of 81 not out on the second day of the second Test at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Thanks largely to Holder, the West Indies scored 251 in their first innings. They trailed by 69 runs but it looked likely to be much worse before Holder played a sparkling innings.

“The important thing for us was to stay in the game,” Holder said after inspiring a rearguard action in which the last four wickets added 135 runs.

“We’ve been in this situation before,” he told SuperSport television. “You’ve got to put trust in your partners and give them responsibility.”

South Africa faced three overs at the end of the day, scoring four runs without loss to take their overall lead to 73 runs.

Whereas none of his teammates could score freely — and none managed more than Kyle Mayers’ battling 29 off 83 balls — the tall Holder looked in command from the start of his innings.

Batting at number eight, he went in with the West Indies in big trouble at 116 for six in reply to South Africa’s 320 all out.

Holder and Joshua Da Silva (26) started the recovery by putting on 41 for the seventh wicket.

The comeback accelerated as the last two batsmen, Kemar Roach (13) and Gudakesh Motie (17) helped Holder add 89 runs for the last two wickets.

The 10th-wicket partnership of 58 with Motie was the highest of the innings.

Holder admitted he would like to bat higher in the order. “I’ve had an indifferent time of late,” he said, “but I would like to bat at number six.”

Holder hit four sixes and eight fours in a 117-ball innings and said the Wanderers pitch was “pretty good for batters”.

Gerald Coetzee, playing in his second Test, took three for 41 and fellow fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took two for 19. Rabada only sent down 12 overs and did not bowl after tea.

On a pitch expected to take spin later in the match, spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj bowled a combined 38.3 overs but could only take three wickets while conceding 140 runs.

Coetzee, 22, said he had set out to “hit the pitch” and bowl fast in the absence of the injured Anrich Nortje. “If you look at the bowling attack today I think that was my role. I enjoy hitting the pitch.”

Coetzee said his impressive start in Test cricket had been eased by being part of the South African Test squad in Australia earlier in the season, even though he did not play a match.

“I went there as a back-up bowler but to be there and learn was exactly what I needed.”

Coetzee said the Wanderers pitch provided a more even contest between bat and ball than the first Test in Centurion, “but there is something for the bowlers”.

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