ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Captain Jason Holder believes Sunday’s remarkable come-from-behind win over India is proof of the quality cricket West Indies is capable of playing but said his side were still aiming to put together the ideal performance.
Facing another series defeat entering the fourth One-Day International at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, West Indies astonishingly defended a modest 189 to stun the Indians by 11 runs and pull themselves back into the five-match series.
“I told the guys one thing when we huddled [yesterday] morning and that was leave everything out on the park. Just make sure when we come off the field we’ve given everything,” Holder told a media throng here.
“When we went out in the second half, it was just outstanding to see the way the guys showed character, showed fight, they showed unity, and these are a lot of things we have been asking for in the dressing room for a long time. Yes, we still haven’t played the perfect game and that is something we are striving towards and going into this last game in Jamaica we have everything to play for.”
Opting to bat first, West Indies struggled badly and could only muster 189 for nine off their 50 overs with openers Kyle Hope and Evin Lewis top-scoring with 35 apiece.
In reply, India appeared set for victory at 159 for five thanks to half-centuries from opener Ajinkya Rahane (60) and wicketkeeper MS Dhoni (54) but West Indies hit back through Holder who snatched career-best figures of five for 27 to seal the win for side.
“I was relieved, extremly proud. We’ve copped a lot of criticism over the last four months as a team,” the Barbadian all-rounder pointed out.
“ We really haven’t had the best results and people have just written us off without giving us a chance but the way the guys played I’m just extremely proud of the guys – our backs were basically against the wall.
“At the half-way stage a lot of people didn’t expect us to come and win the game but it just shows what we have within us. I am really, really proud of the guys.”
The regional side’s one-day form of recent has been unflattering, with just two wins in the last 12 games this year prior to Sunday’s contest. They also have not won an ODI series since they swept Bangladesh three years ago in the Caribbean.
Holder, who took over the helm of the squad just months after that series win, said he would continue to believe in his side to produce similar performances.
“It hasn’t been the best [of times] but I have faith, I have faith in the guys, I have a lot of faith in myself and once we stay together and we learn as quickly as possible then I can see more results like this.”
Following the abandonment of the first game due to rain, West Indies went down by by 105 runs in the second match match of the Trinidad doubleheader before also losing the third here by 93 runs last Friday.
They trail 2-1 heading into Thursday’s final match at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
