Cricket West Indies (CWI) has named Kraigg Brathwaite as the captain of the Test team. As the 37th player to take up this position, Brathwaite will replace Jason Holder, who took the reins in 2015. Brathwaite has already led the team in seven Tests in absence of Holder, including the recent 2-0 Test series win against Bangladesh.
While accepting the position, Brathwaite said, “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.”
CWI’s Chief Selector Roger Harper pointed to the team’s recent success in Bangladesh as proof of Brathwaite’s suitability for the role. Roger said, “We all believe that Kraigg is the right man to lead our Test side at this point in time and I’m delighted that he has accepted the role. In the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Kraigg was able to motivate his players to play to a very high level and create the culture we are looking to establish where the team showed a collective determination to fight and a real hunger for success.”
Holder led West Indies in 37 Tests with 11 wins, 5 draws and 21 defeats. He also improved his individual performances during his captaincy tenure and sits at number one position in Test rankings for all-rounder.
On behalf of the CWI, Jimmy Adams, CWI Director of Cricket, thanked Holder for his contribution by saying, “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.”
As the new official captain, Brathwaite’s first assignment will be two match home test series against Sri Lanka in March. The squad for the first Test will be announced on Saturday during the interval of the second CGI Insurance ODI at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. West Indies won T-20 series against Sri Lanka and took a 1-0 lead in ODI series this week. Holder has been part of ODI and T-20 squad. Change in captaincy is unlikely to impact his selection, so he should be in the test squad against Sri Lanka.