2023 World Cup Qualifiers: Jason Holder Your Work Isn’t Done Yet, This Is Just The Beginning!

Truth be told, June 18, 2023, will likely always be remembered as a vital date in the history of West Indies Cricket, particularly from the standpoint of their one-day game. It would be the date where the once mighty and two time ODI World Cup winners competed and beat the United States of America, yet to play in a World Cup, in their opening fist fight in the World Cup qualifiers.

Though, that would not be the only reason why the triumph, if a 39-run-win could be called that, would be remembered.

Jason Holder has begun the World cup qualifiers on a positive note

Implicit in helping his side tank up 297 significant runs on the board, Jason Holder would single handedly compile a sixth of those runs.

As a matter of fact, few half centuries in their recent white-ball history have aided a Windies cause as much as Jason Holder’s 40-ball-outing with the bat that ultimately culminated in 56 runs.

These weren’t just 56 runs; these were intentful, timing-laced, much-to-the-cause of the team runs that guided the West Indies towards a utility contribution from down the order.

But nothing could add more value to Jason Holder’s knock of 56 other than the fact that his previous one day fifty or the most recent (prior to the USA game) had come against India at the start of 2022.

Though in a usual careless fashion, cavalier even, the tall Barbadian would tend to lose focus and scored no more notable knocks in the rest of the two one dayers down in India.

However, this time around, much like the strong fashion in which he had begun West Indies’ most recent tour of India, Holder has begun well.

But he must guard against any sign of incompetence. And at the same time, must not be prepared to make room for any kind of inconsistency.

For that would hurt the West Indies akin to opening a can of honey with a swarm of bees stinging altogether.

Moreover, if there was ever a time where the West Indian captain Shai Hope needed support from such a vital cog in the team, then this is it.

By the time Jason Holder plays the fast approaching ODI World Cup 2023 this year, he would have completed his 150th game in the white-ball format. But more important than reaching that milestone would be to be in a space that can allow him to gear up of that memorable day.

Which fundamentally means ensuring that the West Indies do not lose out and win every single World Cup qualifiers contest that’s slated to occur and hopefully, the 3 one dayers the side are poised to play against India in July.

Yet, at the same time, merely featuring in those games won’t do; contributing from both departments of the game, wherein his key skill as an all rounder lies, will realistically give wind to his wings and add to the purpose of the side.

Desperate times for West Indies cricket?

While it might be a bit overcautious or dramatic to say that the survival of West Indies cricket lies as it is in peril danger, it just makes sense to conclude that their big ticket to the One Day World Cup, bound for India, rests on the outcomes in this ongoing tournament.

These are, unless one thought of them otherwise, desperate times for West Indies cricket. But while desperate times call for desperate measures, what Jason Holder ought to do is to simply stick to the basics and derive confidence from a sheer wealth of experience he has in playing the format.

He is approaching 2,500 runs in One day cricket and has already gathered 154 wickets. In today’s fast-paced modern day game that’s laced with backbreaking hits and bludgeoning strikes, perhaps what matters just as much are the basics of the game such as focusing for long periods of time without losing the desire to play to one’s best.

And as one of Cricket Chronicle’s close friends Prashant Banajare puts it, “One doesn’t have to do anything freakish to succeed in the sport,” Jason Holder would perhaps like to focus on consistency of performances, something that is of peak importance especially with the games against Nepal and later, Zimbabwe fast approaching.

Now isn’t the time to give up easily with the bat having accumulated a good start. And likewise, this isn’t the time to concede easy runs or bowl one extra too many, the later a perennial West Indian habit.

If there was ever a time to lead by an example as a quality all rounder and former captain, then it’s now Jason Holder. And the fan back home in the Caribbean, not only in the Sir Garry Sobers land but even in the land of the Prince of Trinidad believes in you.

You must too!