West Indies pick Jason Holder and Jeremy Solozano for Sri Lanka Test tour

James Richardson
Jason Holder West Indies Cricket365

All-rounder Jason Holder has been named in the West Indies’ squad for November and December 2021’s Test series against Sri Lanka.

Holder lost the Test captaincy earlier this year, but has been included in a squad that also features the uncapped Jeremy Solozano.

The 30-year-old Holder was a late addition to the West Indies squad for the 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. The West Indies are the reigning champions, but failed to qualify for the semi-finals this year.

Batsman Solazano has graduated to the Test fold on the back of a fine stretch of form for Trinidad and Tobago at domestic level. He was particularly impressive in a recent ‘Best vs Best’ intra-squad fixture in Antigua. The left-hander hit 74 off 216 deliveries in that match and has also represented the West Indies A.

Solozano ‘very comfortable against both pace and spin’

“The Best v Best matches provided the opportunity for the players to spend some time in the middle honing their skills for this tour,” said lead selector Roger Harper.

“The aim was to simulate as much as possible, the conditions that the team will likely face in Sri Lanka, so it was good to see the batsmen spending time at the crease while putting some scores together and the bowlers looking to build pressure and create wicket-taking opportunities.

“Jeremy played for the West Indies A team in 2019 against India A with success and in the Best v Best matches he displayed a sense of application, patience, and composure, while looking very comfortable against both pace and spin which encouraged the panel to invest in him at this point.

“The squad is well balanced, with good depth in all departments. The composition is very similar to the squad that brought us success in our last away tour to Bangladesh, with a few changes in personnel.

“There are a number of players who are familiar with Sri Lankan conditions and most of the others have good experience in the Indian sub-continent, so they know what to expect and are gearing themselves for it.”

Also read: Dwayne Bravo announces retirement as West Indies World Cup defence fails

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has returned after recovering from a hamstring injury. Spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who has not played Test cricket since 2015, has also been included in the squad.

Sri Lanka and the West Indies will contest three Tests in Colombo and Galle from 14 November to 3 December.

West Indies Test squad for tour of Sri Lanka

  1. Kraigg Brathwaite (captain)
  2. Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain)
  3. Nkrumah Bonner
  4. Roston Chase
  5. Rahkeem Cornwall
  6. Joshua Da Silva
  7. Shannon Gabriel
  8. Jason Holder
  9. Shai Hope
  10. Kyle Mayers
  11. Veerasammy Permaul
  12. Kemar Roach
  13. Jayden Seales
  14. Jeremy Solozano
  15. Jomel Warrican