Share

'Work still to do' as Windies skipper Holder targets Test series win

North Sound - West Indies captain Jason Holder insists that his team still "has a lot of work to do" to finish off a shell shocked England when the second Test gets underway on Thursday.

The Caribbean side stunned Joe Root's men by a huge 381 runs in the first Test in Barbados with 27-year-old Holder memorably hitting a majestic, career-best 202.

"It's great to be 1-0 up, but that's history. We are happy to be leading in the series but we have our feet firmly on the ground," said Holder at North Sound on Wednesday on the eve of the second game in a three-match series.

"We are not focusing on what happened before in Barbados. We are looking forward to this match and what we have ahead of us.

"There is still work to be done -- a lot of work still to be done -- but we know as long as we continue to work hard we will get the results we are looking for. I want to see us come out again and show that we can play well again and win again."

Holder, who this week became the number one in the all-rounder world rankings, said all 14 members of the West Indies squad are fully fit and available for selection.

The only slight doubt surrounds fast bowler Shannon Gabriel who hurt his toe in Barbados.

Meanwhile, Joe Denly will make his England debut in the match, replacing out-of-form opener Keaton Jennings, captain Joe Root said Wednesday.

Denly, 32, comes into the team after Jennings managed just 17 and 14 in the first Test.

Root named a 12-man squad for the match at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium with Stuart Broad and Jack Leach also in contention having missed out on a place in the side for the first Test.

"It gives Joe an opportunity," Root said. "It's disappointing for Keaton, he's done some excellent things and he will continue to work on developing his game and be a big part of this squad."

Denly made his international debut back in 2009, playing in the one-day and Twenty20 sides but had to wait for almost a decade before winning a recall.

He marked that occasion when he took four wickets with his leg-spin in a T20 victory oer Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, England leg-spinner Adil Rashid has temporarily left the tour and returned home.

"Adil Rashid will leave the party during the second Test to return home as his wife is expecting their second child," said the England team on Twitter.

"He will return ahead of the ODIs."

Rashid bowled just 26 overs in Barbados, going wicketless in the defeat.

West Indies squad: Jason Holder (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel,Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican

England squad: Joe Root (captain) Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Jack Leach

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1778 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE