Looking forward to the series: Jason Holder

West Indies skipper Jason Holder has reiterated that the mood in the Windies camp is upbeat at the moment. Holder also backed the likes of Kieron Pollard as well as Sunil Narine as the duo made their expected return to the squad. Despite the tough competition looming over the horizon in the form of South Africa and Australia, Holder has stated that all was well.

“We’ve got a good squad. Many of the guys were in the World T20 squad and the World Cup, some of whom are carrying very good form from the IPL. We back the guys in the squad,” Holder said. “We’ve got Sunil Narine, who comes back after the problems with his action, and Kieron Pollard, who I’m sure has a statement to make. So, I’m really looking forward to this series.”

Both Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine were not a part of the West Indies squad that clinched the World T20 title in India earlier this year. Sunil Narine was working on his illegal action while Pollard was nursing an unfortunate knee injury. Both players made their mark on the recently concluded IPL, thereby justifying their selection in the side in spite of the likes of Darren Sammy and Chris Gayle voicing their concerns regarding their selection.

The selection of Pollard and Narine was questioned by the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, and World T20 skipper Darren Sammy with both these players not taking part in the domestic 50-over tournament organized between the islands of the Caribbean.

Despite such issues, Holder insisted that the squad was in good spirits and eagerly looking forward to the tri-series. “The mood is very good. Everybody is up for this series. We’ve had a bit of a break between the last one-day series and this one, so everyone is raring to go.”

The last ODI series the West Indies played in was the ODI series in the November against the Sri Lankans in the subcontinent. They were thrashed by the Lankan side 3-0 in the series. However, in spite of the setback, the Windies went on to win the subsequent World T20. The lack of match practice showed as they were beaten soundly in two practice matches against Barbados Select XI.

“We were a little rusty, probably below par, for the practice games,” Holder admitted. “But we didn’t have the full squad either. We have guys coming back from the IPL, who have been playing cricket, and I expect good things from them.”

The Jason Holder-led unit will face South Africa in the first match of the Tri-series at Guyana on the 3rd of June.