Holder is new West Indies Test Cricket Captain

The WICB has announced that Jason Holder will be the new captain of the West Indies Test team. He replaces Denesh Ramdin.

The appointment was recommended by the WICB Selection Panel and endorsed unanimously by the Directors during a teleconference meeting on Wednesday.

Head WICB selector Clive Lloyd said Holder the appointment was made with an eye to the future.

"He is a young man that all of the selectors, people in the Caribbean and worldwide believe has several of the qualities that can take our team forward," said Lloyd.

"We felt the time was right for a change and we feel he will do as well as he did when he was elevated to the position of One-day International captain ahead of the World Cup.

Lloyd added: "We had a number of detractors when he was appointed ODI captain, but he showed during the ODI series in South Africa and the World Cup that he had the qualities that were needed to take our team forward.

"We expect to get new thinking and new dynamism from him. Jason commands respect. He is a fine young man, very intelligent and he seems to get the best from the players because he is a straightforward guy. I think the players will warm to him. He has a young bunch of players and we feel he can guide them in the manner that is required for internationals."

The 23-year-old Holder also currently holds the position of captain of the West Indies One-day International team. He has appeared in eight Tests, following his debut against New Zealand last June in his native Barbados.

Lloyd said though he felt Holder had the ability to lead West Indies in all three formats, the selectors had no immediate intentions of making him Twenty20 captain right now.

"We do not want to any captain to lead in all three formats just now," said Lloyd. "It would be quite burdensome on anyone. We think we can have a separate Twenty20 captain."

Lloyd thanked Ramdin for leading the Test side and said the wicketkeeper/batsman was still had a important part to play in the success of the team.

"I have spoken to Denesh and he understood the situation and there was no animosity," said Lloyd. "We just want him to perform a little bit better right now, particularly with the bat, and give of his best and support the new captain."

Commenting on the announcement, WICB President Whycliffe "Dave" Cameron said: "The Directors discussed the recommendation put forward by the selectors. We have all seen Jason's clear leadership potential and believe he can perform an excellent job for West Indies cricket over many years. We congratulate him on his appointment.

"We would like to thank Denesh for taking on the responsibility of leading the Test side over the last 15 months. He remains an integral part of West Indies cricket and will continue to have a vital role in our Test side."

Holder is out of the Caribbean on personal business and will comment on his elevation to the position when he returns.

The squad includes uncapped left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, the only newcomer to the international scene, and uncapped fast bowler Carlos Brathwaite, who has made appearances for the Caribbean side previously in One-day Internationals.

The players will be encamped in Barbados from September 20 for a period of eight days and are scheduled to arrive in the Sri Lanka capital of Colombo on October 1.

Squad

Jason Holder (Captain)

Kraigg Brathwaite (Vice Captain)

Devendra Bishoo

Jermaine Blackwood

Carlos Brathwaite

Darren Bravo

Rajindra Chandrika

Shane Dowrich

Shannon Gabriel

Shai Hope

Denesh Ramdin

Kemar Roach

Marlon Samuels

Jerome Taylor

Jomel Warrican

Team Management Unit

Phil Simmons (Head Coach)

Sir Richie Richardson (Team Operations Manager)

Stuart Williams (Assistant Coach)

Sir Curtly Ambrose (Assistant Coach)

Andre Coley (Assistant Coach)

C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist)

Richard Berridge (Performance Analyst)

Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist)

Philip Spooner (Media Relations Manager)

#### Match Schedule

October

Sun 4 to Mon 5 Tour Match – To be confirmed

Thu 8 to Sat 10 Tour Match – To be confirmed

Wed 14 to Sun 18 1st Test – International Cricket Stadium, Galle

Thu 22 to Mon 26 2nd Test – Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo

Thu 29 Tour Match – To be confirmed

Sat 31 1st One-day International – Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (day/night)

November

Wed 4 2nd One-day International – Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambantota (day/night)

Sat 7 3rd One-day International – Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (day/night)

Tue 10 1st Twenty20 International – International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

Thu 12 1st Twenty20 International – International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele