Jason Holder

Holder made his ODI debut on 1 February 2013 against Australia. His first notable performance in the ODI format was in the first match against Pakistan in July 2013 where he picked up 4 for 13, although the performance was overshadowed by a seven wicket haul by Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, as West Indies were bowled out for 98. Holder delivered a strong all-round performance in the third ODI of the same series, when he, along with Kemar Roach, helped his team to a tie, scoring 19 not out off 9 deliveries. He made his T20I debut against New Zealand in January 2014, returning figures of 2–34 in 3 overs.

After good performances in ODIs, Holder was selected for the Test squad in June 2014.[7] He made his Test debut on 26 June 2014 against New Zealand. He did not take any wickets in the first innings, but bowled economically with four maidens. In the second innings, Holder took his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Ross Taylor for 16 runs. He completed the match with 2 for 50. Holder also scored 90 runs in the match, including his maiden Test fifty. However, West Indies lost the match by 53 runs.[8]

He was made the captain of the national team in ODI format by the West Indies Cricket Board selectors, after they sacked previous captain Dwayne Bravo.[9] At 23 years, 72 days, he became the youngest ever West Indian captain. On 4 September 2015 he was named as the captain of the Test side for the tour to Sri Lanka. He became the second youngest test captain of all time for the West Indies and 15th youngest of all time for any Test Nation.[10][11][12]

He led his team to quarter finals of the 2015 World Cup where they lost to New Zealand.[13] In the tournament, Holder scored two consecutive fifties, both in losing causes, against South Africa and then India. In the match against South Africa, Holder conceded 104 runs, which is second worst set of bowling figures in World Cups.[14][15] He also scored a 26-ball 42 in their last match against New Zealand in the quarter final.

In April 2015, he scored a maiden Test century against England to help secure a draw in the first Test.[16]

Although West Indies lost many home and away series under Holder's captaincy, many former West Indian cricketers appreciated Holder's efforts as a captain because his team lacked experienced players such as Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels. The absence of these players was and still is because of an ongoing dispute between players and the West Indies Cricket Board.[17][18][19]

On 2 July 2017, Holder took his maiden ODI five-wicket haul (5/27), in a low scoring game against India.[20] West Indies batted first and only scored 189 runs. To stay alive in the series, West Indies had to win the match. Holder handled his bowlers and himself very well in the match, and the West Indies won the match by 11 runs. For his good captaincy and impressive bowling performance, Holder was awarded the man of the match award.[21]

On 15 March 2018, Holder became the fastest player for the West Indies, in terms of matches, to score 1,000 runs and take 100 wickets in ODIs (74).[22] In October 2018, Cricket West Indies (CWI) awarded him a contract across all formats of cricket for the 2018–19 season.[23][24] In the six Tests that Holder played that year, he made 336 runs at an average of 37.33 while also claiming 33 wickets at an average of 12.30, the best average by a fast bowler in more than 100 years. He made the Test Team announced at the ICC Awards for the year as the only West Indies player in the team.[25]

In January 2019, Holder scored his first double century in first-class cricket in his team's second innings of the First Test at home against England at the Kensington Oval, his home ground. He struck a 295-run partnership with Shane Dowrich for the eight wicket helping his team secure a lead of 627 runs over England.[26] His 202 not out was the third-highest individual score by a number eight batsman in Tests.[27] The West Indies went on to win the match by 381 runs, their greatest victory at home in terms of runs,[28] and Holder was named man of the match.[29] He occupied the top spot in the all-rounders rankings announced following the match, the first West Indies player since Garfield Sobers in 1974.[30]

In April 2019, he was named as the captain of the West Indies' squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.[31][32] On 17 June 2019, in the match against Bangladesh, Holder played in his 100th ODI match.[33] On 27 June 2019, in the match against India, Holder played in his 150th international match for the West Indies.[34] On 1 July 2019, in the match against Sri Lanka, Holder became the first captain of the West Indies to take 100 wickets in ODIs.[35] On 31 August 2019, in the second Test against India, Holder took his 100th wicket in Test cricket.[36]

In June 2020, Holder was named as the captain of the West Indies' Test squad, for their series against England.[37] The Test series was originally scheduled to start in May 2020, but was moved back to July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[38]