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Jason Holder

Bongani Ndlovu, Sports Correspondent
WEST Indies captain Jason Holder yesterday said he is wary of Zimbabwe who have bolstered their squad with the addition of Brendan Taylor and Karl Jarvis and expects a competitive Test match from their opponents.

Today Zimbabwe takes on the Calypso Kings at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo during the first of two Tests.

Holder said they were against a Chevrons side that was on the up and they were not going to underestimate their opponents.

“We expect a good competition from these guys as they’ve come back to the Test arena. Last year when we came here for the ODI series they were a very good side and very professional unit and we expect nothing less from them in this Test series. They’ve boosted their side in terms of bringing back Brendon Taylor and Kyle Jarvis and these are two key guys going forward for them,” said Holder.

He said they were banking on seasoned campaigners such as top batsmen Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope to lead their batting department and strike bowler Kemar Roach to take the wickets. Opener Brathwaite is West Indies’ leading batsman in 18th position while Shai Hope has risen to 30th place from 102, scoring 356 runs in the last two Tests of the series in England which they lost 2-1.

“Brathwaite leads our batting and has been with us for a very long time and our most experienced player. He has been doing well for us and I back him to lead our batting team. In our bowling department we’ve got Kemar Roach who did well in England,” said Holder.

He said to their advantage is the fact that conditions in Zimbabwe are similar to the ones they are used to in the Caribbean.

“The conditions are similar to what we have in the Caribbean. In the practise game the wicket was a bit slow and it turned, something we’re accustomed to in the Caribbean. I think coming from England puts us in bit of a stead as the ball does a bit more in the air and off the pitch in England and that will help them in any conditions,” said Holder.

“I‘d expect reverse swing in these conditions as the ball is soft, because of these conditions.” — @bonganinkunzi