Winning in Australia gave me renewed energy to come back to Test cricket: Jason Holder

Jason Holder. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)

Against all the odds, West Indies stunned Australia at the Gabba earlier in the year, defeating the hosts by eight runs. The Kraigg Brathwaite-led side finished the series on level terms, which eventually inspired Jason Holder to come back to Test cricket. The all-rounder mentioned missing the longest format of the game and is once again happy to be back for the series against England, which is slated to begin on July 10 at Lord’s.

Holder stated that the team should carry on with the momentum and look forward to applying the same against the Three Lions in the summer. He recalled West Indies’ 10-wicket win over England in March 2022 and is optimistic of producing a similar result once again. The 32-year-old added that the team is filled with quality players, and they are hopeful to play solid cricket to get the job done in the two-match series.

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Holder also talked about this being the best time to beat England as they are going through a transition. The Ben Stokes-led side decided to bench Jonny Bairstow in the first Test and gave the cap to wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, while their focus remains on developing new pacers.

“I was so happy for the boys when they did what they did in Australia. It gave me a renewed energy to come back to the group and be a part of something special again. I have missed Test cricket, and I am looking forward to it,” Holder was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

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“We are coming out to win this series. We have some special talent in the dressing room. It’s just about playing solid cricket and having belief. We have been doing some really positive things for the last couple of months, and as a young side the main thing is to keep learning. We won one Test last time and are looking to take it further, and two would be a lot better on this trip. There is no better time for us to beat England than now. I think that would be a great feat and nothing this team is short of,” he added.