Captain Holder wants to move on

Sydney - West Indies captain Jason Holder on Monday described the loss of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard as "huge" but wanted the former champions to move on during the Cricket World Cup.

Drafted in surprisingly as captain just two months before the World Cup, Holder said selection matters were beyond his control.

"They are two players who have done well in world cricket," Holder said when asked what effect will the dropping of the two key players will have on his team.

"I am not the selector. It's out of our control. Not having them would be a huge loss to any side. But it's beyond our control and we have to accept it and move on."

Th 23-year-old became the youngest man to lead the West Indies in the wake of a players' strike over a payment row with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

The tussle resulted in West Indies abandoning the tour of India in October last year.

Bravo and Pollard were the leading players behind the strike and their axing was described as "vengeance" by former West Indian paceman Michael Holding.

But chief selector Clive Lloyd and the WICB dismissed the charge.

Holder said he accepted captaincy after much deliberation.

"Yes, I had to think about it. It was a delicate time. So I gave it some thought and spoke to a few players around the dressing room and made my decision and being captain is a huge thing for me.

"I've seen myself to be a leader in most teams I've put myself into. I've led teams before. I led West Indies Under-19 and I was vice-captain on the West Indies A team. It's not something that I'm fresh to.

Holder hoped his team will lift itself after a 4-1 one-day defeat in South Africa.

"Yes, we've been inconsistent and not played to the best of our abilities but we have some world-beaters in our team. It's all about putting it all together."

Holder was confident he would form a good rapport with senior players.

"I have built a relationship with some of the senior players. Being captain has not been that difficult thus far. We didn't do too well in South Africa but we didn't have our full-strength team out there. I have a good relationship with all the guys."

He described dashing opening batsman Chris Gayle as a key player for the side.

"Chris is big player for any team he plays for," Holder said. "He's a world beater. He's been a top batsman for us for a number of years. We just want him to be his normal self and get the best out of him."

West Indies open their World Cup campaign with a tricky game against Ireland at Nelson on February 16.