Kraigg Brathwaite Replaces Jason Holder As Full-Time West Indies Test Captain

Opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite has been appointed as the full-time new Test captain by Cricket West Indies. He replaces Jason Holder to become the 37th Test captain of the West Indies.

Kraigg Brathwaite led a depleted West Indies side to a 2-0 victory in Bangladesh and has been rewarded for the same with the permanent captaincy. Before the Bangladesh tour, the right-hander has captained the team, in Holder’s absence, in 5 Tests – losing all of them.

Holder, who was amongst several players who opted out of the Bangladesh tour due to covid concerns, has led the Test team in 37 matches – with 11 wins, 21 losses, and 5 draws. A home Test series triumph over Joe Root’s England in 2019 was the highest point of Holder’s captaincy tenure.

Jimmy Adams, CWI Director of Cricket, thanked Holder for the contributions he made to the side as a leader since taking over from Denesh Ramdin 6 years ago. Holder, who is the number one ICC Test all-rounder has done immense work in making significant gains in West Indies cricket.

“On behalf of CWI, I would like to thank Jason for all he has given to the game in the region while serving as Captain of our Test team. Throughout his five-and-a-half-year tenure, he has led with dignity while always upholding the highest values of the sport. As the world’s leading Test all-rounder, we all believe that Jason still has a tremendous role to play in West Indies Test Cricket for many years to come,” Jimmy Adams, CWI Director of Cricket said in the release.

Excited about what I believe this team can achieve in the future: Kraigg Brathwaite

The 28-year-old opener’s first challenge would be against Sri Lanka in a 2-match home Test series which commences on March 21st. West Indies finished 6th on the World Test Championship; with a new skipper at the helm, and several young and exciting talents coming in the side, the once-dominant side would hope for better results in the next WTC cycle under Brathwaite.

“It is a huge honour to be given the Captaincy of the West Indies Test team. I feel extremely proud and humbled that the Board and Selectors have given me the opportunity and responsibility to lead the team. The recent Test Series win in Bangladesh was a fantastic achievement and I’m really looking forward to the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka and I’m excited about what I believe this team can achieve in the future,” Kraigg Brathwaite said.

Also Read: Sri Lanka All-Rounder Angelo Mathews Pulls Out Of West Indies Tour; To Return Home