Holder defiant after crushing defeat

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Cricket365
December 15, 2015

West Indies captain Jason Holder insists that the Caribbean side did not take a step backwards as they were crushed by an innings and 212 runs inside three days of the first Test by a rampant Australia team in Hobart on Saturday.

The Windies were bowled for 223 and 148 as they replied to Australia's mammoth first innings total of 583 for four declared as the tourists succumbed meekly.

It was what pundits and former players were predicting, that the Aussies will hammer the Windies and the Tests would not go the full distance.

The Windies skipper though says the players need to find inspiration from some of the positive performances in the Hobart Test, like Darren Bravo, who hit a century in the first innings, and opener Kraigg Brathwaite who scored 94 in the second knock.

Holder told reporters: "I wouldn't say it's a step backwards, obviously in the past we've shown that we can compete.

"I think you need to look at inspiring performances, like how Darren Bravo played. He just showed that once he applied himself and spent some time in the middle that runs could be made out there.

"The way Kraigg Brathwaite played in the second innings [was impressive], a real fighting innings. He pushed for a hundred but unfortunately didn't get it.

"We just need to look at those inspiring performances, and probably look back to performances where we've done well in the past, and just try to relive those moments and bring it into this Test series."

The second Test of the three-match series starts in Melbourne on Boxing Day.