Holder urges West Indies to ‘come together as a region’ after World Cup setback

Talking shortly after West Indies have been confirmed as being out of rivalry for the 2023 50-over World Cup, Holder acknowledged their defeat to Scotland was “most likely one of many lowest factors I’ve had with the group,” however urged everybody in West Indian cricket to maneuver on shortly.

“I do not assume all is misplaced. There’s numerous younger guys within the group who can undoubtedly develop and switch issues round for West Indies cricket,” Holder mentioned on the post-match press convention. “We have a younger crop of gamers and we have to place some assist round them. It is actually necessary that we attempt to utilise time exterior of competitors and put issues in place the place we are able to develop our expertise.

“We now have to take a look at the degrees beneath and enhance them in order that when guys get right here, they’ve an excellent basis. It is an space we have to pay some particular consideration to. It is not a fast repair. It is one thing we have to spend time on. Improvement is crucial factor. Hopefully within the subsequent couple of years we are able to see the fruits of that crop.”

“We have all received to do it. It is not a person factor, it is not a territorial factor, we have to return collectively as a area and actually take into consideration how we need to go ahead as a bunch and make it occur,” he mentioned.

However all these are issues that will likely be addressed within the weeks and months to return, which is able to embody a quiet October-November interval when West Indies ought to have been on the World Cup. For Holder, who performed within the 2015 and 2019 occasions, lacking out is a very sore level. “It is disappointing, particularly after final yr’s effort within the T20 (World Cup – the place West Indies didn’t make the Tremendous 12s). I’ve had the posh of enjoying in two fifty-over World Cups earlier than and a few T20 World Cups. There are particular events so this one will harm because the one final yr did.”

On the sphere, Holder was amongst those that confirmed emotion from across the time that Scotland wanted lower than 50 runs to win. He stood at mid-on, fingers on hips, head bowed and at one level even sank to his haunches and remained there whereas ready for the following ball to be bowled. Not like when West Indies misplaced on the similar venue to Zimbabwe per week in the past, there have been no last-ball meltdowns and although Akeal Hosein, who was consoled by Craig Ervine and Sean Williams seven days in the past, wanted an arm round his shoulder as he trudged off, there have been no tears.

These might have come within the morning when, put in to bat, West Indies have been 81 for six within the twenty first over and the one group with India on their minds gave the impression to be the Scottish. “We knew what was at stake and that we nonetheless had an opportunity to qualify. We had a very good alternative in the present day to play in opposition to Scotland, and beat Scotland and we did not do this,” Holder mentioned.

So when the inevitable occurred, West Indies have been gracious losers, congratulated the Scotland gamers and people of them who had been on the bench began to run shuttles. Pointless? Not fairly. They nonetheless should play Oman and Sri Lanka earlier than racing residence to start a sequence in opposition to India. As is the case with cricket schedules as of late, there isn’t any time to dwell on this defeat, nonetheless important it might be.

“However there isn’t any level moping on and retaining our heads down. We now have to seek out methods to get higher and head within the path we have to head in constantly. There have been too many fluctuations between good performances and unhealthy performances. It is a matter for us to know the place we’re at, know the place we need to go and all of us placing our fingers up.”