West Indies captain Kieron Pollard hails 'phenomenal' Jason Holder

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard hails ‘phenomenal’ Jason Holder’s bowling display against England after taking four wickets for just seven runs in their comprehensive T20 victory

  • West Indies captain Kieron Pollard hailed Jason Holder’s emphatic performance
  • He twice took two wickets in two balls and ended with figures of 4-7 on Saturday
  • England’s tour of Barbados got off to a poor start after they were skittled for 103

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard hailed Jason Holder’s emphatic performance against England after he twice took two wickets in two balls and ended with figures of 4-7 in their comprehensive T20 win. 

England’s tour of Barbados got off to a false start after they were bundled out for 103 before the West Indies reached the meagre target with nine wickets and 17 balls to spare.

After being asked to bat first on a tricky pitch with inconsistent bounce, England lurched to 10 for three then 49 for seven as their Ashes batting woes transferred to the Caribbean at the outset of this five-match series.

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard hailed Jason Holder’s starring performance against England

Lower-order batters Chris Jordan and Adil Rashid spared England’s blushes as they avoided a new record-low T20 total but the duo’s efforts barely papered over the cracks, with the Windies rarely troubled in their pursuit. 

Holder tore through England’s batting line-up. He first dismissed Tom Banton and Moeen Alli in successive balls and then wrapped up the tourists’ innings by repeating the feat against Rashid and Saqib Mahmood.

Speaking about his dominant display, Pollard said: ‘When it comes to Kensington Oval and Jason Holder, he steps it up. 

‘He was phenomenal for us. 

‘We backed it up in the field and the guys really put on a show today.’

England’s bowlers were efficient if non-threatening – with Brandon King’s unbeaten 52 from 49 deliveries breaking the back of the chase.

The Windies are without the menacing presence of Chris Gayle at the top of the order, one of several casualties following a T20 World Cup campaign where they won just one of five matches, but he was hardly missed as King and Shai Hope settled immediately.

In contrast to England’s early boom-or-bust approach, the Windies pair were largely content to rotate strike, with the only shot in anger in a 52-run opening partnership coming when King swept Rashid over midwicket. 

England’s tour of Barbados got off to a false start after they were bundled out for a poor 103

Rashid ensured England would not suffer a first 10-wicket T20 defeat when he lured Hope out of his crease. Hope was beaten by some lavish turn and stumped for 20.

There was little need for any risk-taking from King, who reached a patient 47-ball fifty shortly before hitting the winning run, while Nicholas Pooran also adopted a sensible approach to finish with 27 not out from 29 balls.

England will have little time to lick their wounds, with the next match taking place on Sunday.

England captain Eoin Morgan added: ‘We didn’t seem to adapt well enough. 

‘We’ll have to come back tomorrow with a fresh gameplan because conditions are likely to be similar. 

‘Trying to get the mindset around risk and reward we found a challenge today.’ 


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