‘It's time we start delivering and stopped talking’ - Jason Holder after West Indies’ loss to New Zealand in the first Test

West Indies’ skipper Jason Holder was gutted after his team’s humiliating defeat against New Zealand in their first Test by an innings and 134 runs. After Kiwis’ captain Kane Williamson’s knock of 251, the Caribbean team lost their way and couldn’t show much resistance with the bat in hand. The visitors got bowled out for 138 and 247 to hand the Black Caps a 1-0 lead in the series.

Holder didn’t mince words in saying that his team needs to deliver the goods, instead of showing ‘promise’. The captain admitted that West Indies haven’t shown much fight in recent times and have looked clueless when put under extreme pressure.

We’ve just got to turn it around, says Jason Holder

“I think it’s time we start delivering and stopped talking. We’ve talked a lot; we’ve promised a lot. I think it’s a matter for us to all look ourselves in the mirror and understand that we’ve got to fight a little harder. We’re just probably throwing the towel in too easily, just being honest,” Holder was quoted as saying in the post-match press conference.

“We’ve just got to turn it around and only we can do it. We’ve had brilliant support from this management and staff, they’ve put everything in place. It’s just for us to live up to it,” he stated.

In the second innings when the visiting team was following on, Jermaine Blackwood notched his second Test century. He got the desired support from Alzarri Joseph, who smashed 86 off 125. The duo put on 155 runs for the seventh wicket, but it was only to mitigate the damage caused earlier.

West Indies were reduced to 89 for six in their second innings after they conceded a lead of 381 runs after the first. Amidst the criticism, Holder didn’t forget to praise Blackwood and Joseph for their wholehearted efforts in the second innings.

“Credit to Jermaine Blackwood and Alzarri Joseph to bring some respectability towards our batting, but quite frankly our top order just needs to stand up,” Holder added.

The second and final Test is scheduled to get underway on Friday, December 11 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.