"Good Battle": Jason Holder On His On-Field Competition Against Ben Stokes

Jason Holder is unfazed with the fact that he does not gets enough credit like stand-in England captain Ben Stokes’ does. Holder is currently on top of all-rounders’ rankings in Test cricket with counter-part placed at the second spot. However, for a fact, Stokes has earned plenty more accolades and is much talked about in comparison to Holder in the cricketing circuit.

Holder is a highly under-rated all-rounder. He said that he does not likes these personal accolades or ICC rankings and while he appreciates the fact that Stokes is talked about for his skills, Holder also pointed out that he never got enough credit. Holder, however, said that is always a good battle to face someone like Stokes on the field.

“I don’t really like to get into these personal accolades or ICC rankings,” Holder told a news conference ahead of the match at the Ageas Bowl, the first international cricket fixture since the novel coronavirus pandemic struck.

“Ben has always been talked up and quite rightfully so, he’s a really good cricketer, but the ICC rankings say that I’m the No. 1 ranked all rounder and maybe don’t get as much credit as probably I deserve, who knows?

“I don’t get caught up with it, to be honest. Journalists are there to write their stories, I am merely here to play cricket. It’s always a good battle on the field when you face competitors like Stokesy, face competitors around the world.”

Southampton, the host to the first Test between England and the West Indies, has seen heavy rains throughout the day. Dark clouds hover over the chances of the first Test to begin at its scheduled time after a brief hiatus due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Holder will be eyeing the first Test series win as captain for the West Indies in England since Sir Viv Richards in 1988.