Holder enjoys breakout senior year

Speedster Chemar Holder says focus and determination were the principal factors behind his success in the recently concluded Regional Four Day Cricket Championships.

When the tournament was suspended on March 24 by Cricket West Indies (CWI) due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the 22-year-old pacer had captured 36 wickets from 207.3 overs at an average of 18.91 in eight matches, making him the leading fast bowler in the tournament. The tall wiry pacer bowled for long spells throughout the competition and struck several batsmen on their helmets with some vicious bouncers.

Holder took three five-wicket hauls during the competition. His best performance was against the Jamaica Scorpions at Sabina Park in the third round, where he took five wickets for 45 runs in the first innings and dismantled the Jamaicans in their second innings with a career best six for 47, to record match figures of 11 wickets for 92 runs, his best in first-class cricket.

Before his demolition job of the Scorpions in their own backyard, Holder had sent a warning to batsmen throughout the region that he will be a force to reckon with during the season in the Pride’s second round encounter against defending champions Guyana Jaguars at Kensington Oval

Holder gave the Jaguars’ batsmen a torrid time in their second innings with an aggressive display of fast bowling in which he struck Raymond Refier on his helmet with a bouncer that forced him to go the concussion drill route for six minutes. Anthony Bramble, Leon Johnson and Vishaul Singh were struck on various parts of their body by thunderbolt deliveries.

“There is a saying if you put in the hard work it will pay off, and that’s what happen for me this season. My training never stopped, I trained long and hard before the season started and pushed myself to the limit while I trained in long and intense sessions. During practice, I concentrated on bowling the right line and length. I am extremely happy that my hard work has paid off and I made an impact during the season and assisted my team to win the title for the first time in six years,” Holder told Barbados TODAY.

Holder was not surprised that several batsmen were stuck on their helmets and bodies during the season because in his view he is bowling faster than before.

“I bowled quicker than ever during the season, I also consistently placed the ball in  areas that bother the batsmen which assisted me in taking wickets. While bowling fast is a key weapon in the armory of a pacer, and there is no ball better than a bouncer to keep a batsman in check, bowling the right line and length and varying one’s pace are critical aspects in the art of fast bowling and I got all of those things right during the season. I am analyzing my bowling in an effort to correct my previous mistakes. It is important to me that I strive to improve myself and become a better bowler,” Holder said.

Holder, 22, expressed his gratitude to Kemar Roach for the guidance the veteran fast bowler gave him in this year’s tournament.

“It is always beneficial for young fast bowlers like Keon (Harding) and myself to play along Kemar who is always willing to share his vast knowledge with us. I am grateful for the advice and assistance Kemar gave to me in the five matches I played with him this season,” Holder said.

Even though it has not been confirmed by CWI, several officials of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) including president Conde Riley and senior national selector and chairman of the Sir Everton Weekes Centre of Excellence Roland Butcher, have publicly stated that Holder is the fittest cricketer in the West Indies after being graded at 65 on the yo-yo test.

“Fitness is a big factor for me, I believe once I am fit everything else will take care of itself. I was an athlete at secondary school competing in the 400, 800, 1500 metres and the high jump. I was aware of the importance of fitness from an early age, now I am a professional cricket it is even more important. Therefore, I place a lot of emphasis on being fit because it plays an important part in my life as a cricketer,” the former St Leonard’s Boys School student said.

Several cricket commentators and armchair selectors have selected Holder in their squad for the West Indies tour to England for the three-match Test series that is scheduled to take place from June 4 to 29. However, there is uncertainty at this time whether the series will take place due the COVID-19 pandemic. Holder is not having any anxiety over whether he will be included in the West Indies if the tour to England becomes a reality.

“I am not spending any time worrying about which team I might be selected for. My objective this year is to remain fit and to give of my best to every team that I am selected for and in any tournament that I have the opportunity to participate in,” Holder explained.