ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – West Indies have suffered a major setback ahead of the two-Test tour of Bangladesh starting next Wednesday in Chittagong, after talismanic captain Jason Holder was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
The 27-year-old has a partial thickness tear of the subscapularis tendon in his shoulder and will remain in his native Barbados to undergo “physiotherapy and rehabilitation.”
In his absence, vice-captain Kraigg Brathwaite will lead the 15-man squad which was announced, yesterday by Cricket West Indies.
“He will undergo physiotherapy and strength work from the period November to December and will be reassessed in four weeks time,” Cricket West Indies chief executive, Johnny Grave told the Barbados Cricket Association website.
“The medical panel were concerned that if Jason was to bowl in Bangladesh, the partial tear may become a full tear which may involve the need for surgery and/or a significant break from cricket.
“It was, therefore, then recommended for Jason not to travel to Bangladesh and instead undergo physiotherapy and rehab in Barbados.”
Holder has been the Caribbean side’s leading bowling this year, taking 33 wickets in his last six Tests – the fourth-highest tally by a seamer for 2018.
His amazing average of 11.87 is the best by any bowler this year, and he has also nabbed three five-wicket hauls, with two coming in in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kingston last July.
Holder said he had been bothered by the injury since March and now needed to correct the problem.
“I am definitely disappointed not being able to make the tour to Bangladesh, but based on the advice from the medical team, we felt this was the best course of action to deal with the ongoing issues I have been having with my shoulder and prevent further damage,” said the all-rounder, who missed the first Test against India in Rajkot last month with an ankle injury.
All-rounder Raymon Reifer will replace Holder in the only change to the squad which toured India recently and lost both Tests inside three days.
Following the first Test, the Windies will travel to Mirpur for the final match of the series starting November 30.
West Indies swept Bangladesh 2-0 on their tour of the Caribbean last July, with Holder adjudged Man-of-the-Series.
SQUAD – Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jahmar Hamilton, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Shermon Lewis, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican.