Runs don't need to come from the top order, can be from anyone: Holder

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Tue, Jul 7, 2020, 07:21 PM

"Everyone is really excited to get back to the park. It's been a while since we've played international cricket so everyone is really relishing the opportunity." © AFP

As Jason Holder fronted the media on the eve of the Test series that will see the return of live cricket, most questions revolved around West Indies' batting. That, because, while the visitors have a lethal pace attack, the onus will be on the batsmen to back the bowlers if they are to trouble the hosts.

Holder, though, wasn't too concerned about the batting unit and stressed he's confident that they will be able to challenge the likes of Jofra Archer, James Anderson and Stuart Broad. "We've got stability, we've got depth," the West Indies Test captain said on Tuesday (July 7). "We did well in the last series against Afghanistan. We've won against England and we've done well on the back of top-order really. You go back to the series against England, Shane (Dowrich) got a century, Roston Chase, I got runs probably in the lower half, there were still very significant contributions from the top order.

"I know a lot has been said about the contributions from the lower order in the recent past but if you look at the caliber of players we've got, I am more than confident that these guys will do well. I am not at all worried. It's a team sport and on one particular day, not everyone can have success.

"If we can get some runs on the board, it doesn't need to come from the top order, it can be from anyone. Yes, they haven't lived up to the expectations but it's a team sport. How we get them, I don't really care. All I want is that the bowlers have something to work with."

Will we see Holder batting up the order? "At some stage, I'll definitely come up the order. It's just a matter of when. It's on the radar for me personally and I've had some success. I am feeling good. Feeling good mentally and that's the most important thing."

Both teams have a lot in common going into the series as international cricket returns after a 143-day COVID-induced break. Top-class pace attacks, gun all-rounders and a sketchy top order - so it isn't surprising if the outcome of the series could well be decided by which batting unit fares better. Holder said he's confident his players have the ability to challenge England in their own den. "If you look at this West Indies Test side, we've had some good results," he pointed out. "We've won series, we've won Tests, we've beaten top sides. This team is really ready for this occasion. We've proven in the past that we can win against top sides and we can win the series against top sides.

"Everyone is really excited to get back to the park. It's been a while since we've played international cricket so everyone is really relishing the opportunity. We've had four solid weeks of fitness and the guys have worked really hard to get back to match fitness. This is more or less the green light. Everyone has been talking about it for the last couple of weeks and most of the boys are eager to get to the first ball that will be delivered tomorrow."

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Runs don't need to come from the top order, can be from anyone: Holder

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