Holder buoyed by NZ anti-racism battle

HAMILTON – West Indies captain Jason Holder says he is hugely appreciative of the support the Black Caps have given the anti-racism movement, as he prepares to face the hosts in the first of two Tests on Thursday (Wednesday, Eastern Caribbean time).

As they have done at the start of each Twenty20 match between the two countries over the past week, the New Zealand and West Indies cricket teams will take a knee before the first ball of the first Test here Thursday as part of an ongoing campaign.

The West Indies side will take to the field at Seddon Park with the Black Lives Matter logo on the collars of their playing shirts.

“It just shows the kind of individuals that New Zealand cricket has,” Holder said.

“[NZ captain] Kane [Williamson] came openly to me and we sat down and had a really good chat around it. It was just mainly him hearing our side of it.

“Really happy with his support … and New Zealand Cricket have started a campaign too, which is really good.”

Holder said when the Windies Test squad was in England earlier this year, they sat down as a team and discussed the growing movement in sport to combat racism.

“Some of the guys shared their personal experiences and it was touching. Some people are so battered and bruised by it, they’re scared to share,” the 29-year-old said.

“If we throw a little more awareness and support behind it, people will be more open to share. The awareness needs to keep building and I stressed that to Kane.

“Us as individuals, we go around the world, we mingle with so many different people – you never quite understand what some people go through.

”The more education we put around it, the better off this world will be.

Holder felt more people are aware of the problems since he started his cricketing career.

“I think that’s a step in the right direction. The more we become aware of what’s in front of us as people, we would understand what certain people go through.”

West Indies will be seeking to break a 25-year spell without a series win when they take on the Black Caps, against whom they are also winless in 12 Tests.

And Holder, whose side suffered a humbling whitewash on the last tour here three years ago, believes execution will be key if they are to avoid a similar outcome.

“The last tour we had here, we were outplayed and I think it’s a perfect opportunity – pretty much the nucleus of the squad is similar. Our A game has to be good enough to beat their A game,” he said.

“Where we fell down in the past is execution. In the past we could have the best of plans but if you don’t go and execute them then it all falls begging.

“What is crucial for us is getting through tough periods. In the past we’ve had periods which we’ve really faltered and lost test matches. If we have less of those periods, we stand a better chance of beating opposition teams.” (NZ Stuff)