Jason Holder mentioned that watching from the sidelines as West Indies secured a thrilling eight-run victory over Australia at the Gabba in January has given him "renewed energy" to return to the team. As he prepares to face England at Lord's for his first Test in almost a year, Holder, 32, is eager to pick up where he left off.
Holder was notably absent when West Indies sent a weakened squad to Australia earlier this year, as he had opted out of a central contract to fulfil his lucrative deal with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20. In his absence, Kraigg Brathwaite's team bounced back from a ten-wicket defeat in Adelaide to square the series in dramatic fashion in Brisbane, a venue where Australia had lost just one Test since 1988.
Holder expressed his excitement, stating that he felt energised to rejoin the team and be part of something special once again. He said he missed Test cricket and looked forward to the upcoming match. He was happy to have maintained his fitness and readiness for the challenge.
Regarding the allure of franchise cricket, Holder indicated it was not his responsibility to find a solution but noted that players from South Africa and New Zealand have similarly opted out of central contracts to maximise their earnings in T20 tournaments. He expressed his happiness for the team's success in Australia during his absence.
West Indies arrived in London as underdogs, given that their last Test series win in England was in 1988. However, as holders of the Richards-Botham Trophy after a hard-fought 1-0 win in the Caribbean in 2021-22, and with memorable victories at Headingley and Southampton in their last two away series in 2017 and 2020, Holder is confident that his team has the potential to go one better this time.
Holder remarked that the team had been doing positive things in recent months and emphasised the importance of learning and believing in their abilities. He believed it was time for someone to break the shackles, and there was no better time to beat England.
The circumstances of this tour are vastly different from their last visit in 2020, which took place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, in bio-secure environments at Southampton and Old Trafford. Holder, who was the captain back then, acknowledged the challenges of that period but also the importance of cricket in providing some normality during uncertain times. He hoped to bring some joy to the Caribbean, which was recently hit hard by Hurricane Beryl.
Reflecting on his preparations, Holder mentioned playing two first-class matches for Barbados in March, followed by a five-match stint for Worcestershire in the County Championship, where he scored an unbeaten century against Kent.
Holder expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received at Worcestershire, which renewed his energy and love for the game. He avoided getting into the conversation about James Anderson's impending retirement but acknowledged the significant impact Anderson has had on England's dressing room, comparing it to the void left in West Indies after Shivnarine Chanderpaul's departure.
He emphasised the inevitability of change and the need to move on, acknowledging the powerful influence of veteran players in the dressing room and the bittersweet feeling of witnessing their careers come to an end.