Still the man!

Former West Indies and Barbados all-rounder, Ian Bradshaw, believes there is no reason to discard Jason Holder as Test captain for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, despite the Caribbean side’s recent heavy losses in New Zealand.

Holder presided over innings defeats for the Windies in both Tests in Hamilton and Wellington, with both matches finishing before lunch on the fourth day.

But the 46-year-old Bradshaw, who played five Tests and 62 One-Day Internationals between 2004-07, said while the job of leading West Indies was a “challenging” one, he felt the 29-year-old remained the man for the top role.

However, against the backdrop of poor performances in New Zealand, he urged his fellow Barbadian to be “honest and frank” with his players in order to get the best out of them.

“I would continue with Jason at this time. We’ve just replaced him as [one-day captain] so he’s just the Test captain,” Bradshaw told Starcom Radio’s Mason and Guest.

“I do agree that his performances with the ball have been disappointing but I believe what tends to happen as with West Indies cricket, we’ve grown accustomed to bowling with the Duke ball and every tour we have to go on and we bowl with the Kookaburra ball, we seem to struggle.

“So strategically we have to see if our preparation with the Kookaburra ball needs to be improved.”

He continued: “I can see his frustration and he’s been very careful in his presentation to the public, as he has to be, but I’m hoping that behind closed doors that he’s a little bit more honest and frank with his players because that honesty is going to be important as we go forward.

“I know his job is a challenging one but I am liking the fact that he’s not trying to make excuses for the fact the team is not performing and he himself will know that as captain that his job will be doubly challenging because he has to inspire as well.

“And like all West Indies captains, we like our captains to lead from the front, and his performances would be measured a lot harder.”

Holder sent down 58 overs with his medium pace during the New Zealand series without picking up a single wicket and managed a single half-century in his four innings.

However, Holder has been an outstanding performer for West indies in recent times, resulting in his number two ranking in the ICC all-rounders charts and his 11th spot in the bowlers rankings.

Appointed Test captain five years ago, a few months after he was given charge of the one-day team, Holder has presided over 37 of his 45 Tests, winning 11, losing 21 and drawing five.

Widely viewed as one of the bright spots in West Indies cricket, his position as captain has come under increasing scrutiny as the team’s losing rut has continued.

Following a disappointing World Cup in England last year, Holder was replaced as one-day captain by Kieron Pollard.

With just a short turnaround time between the New Zealand tour and the start of the Bangladesh tour on January 10 next year, Bradshaw also defended Holder’s decision to turn out in the ongoing Australian Big Bash Sydney Sixers for whom he will play three matches at month end.

“As it relates to his workload and going to Australia, it is a reality of the times. Persons have opportunities, they have limited careers and players want to maximise those opportunities,” Bradshaw pointed out.

“What I do not want to hear – and I hope that Jason would not fall into this category – where he comes back and complains of being tired because yes you can go off and make your money but be a professional and be ready when the bell calls for West Indies cricket.” (BT)