Kraigg Brathwaite replaces Jason Holder as West Indies Test captain

West Indies batsman Kraigg Brathwaite has been appointed as the team’s new Test captain ahead of their Sri Lanka Test series. Brathwaite is set to replace teammate and former skipper Jason Holder.

Holder led West Indies in 37 Tests since being appointed captain in 2015, when he took over from then skipper Denesh Ramdin. He is currently sitting atop the ICC Rankings for all-rounders in Test cricket. Holder’s reign as Test captain yielded sub-par returns, with 11 wins, 21 losses and five draws.

“On behalf of CWI, I would like to thank Jason for all he has given to the game in the region while serving as Captain of our Test team,” Jimmy Adams, Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket, was quoted saying as per Cricket West Indies’ press release.

Meanwhile, Brathwaite has already led the team in seven Tests, including the 2-0 series win against Bangladesh. It was a historic one, wherein the Windies sealed Asia’s highest chase in the first Test. Chief selector Roger Harper believed Brathwaite had the potential to lead the side to further success in the longest format.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Huge honour: Brathwaite

The opener will be the 37th Test captain in West Indies cricket’s history. Brathwaite’s immediate goal will be to improve his team’s performances in the next World Test Championship cycle. West Indies finished in sixth place with 160 points in the inaugural WTC cycle.

“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,” he said.

The first of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka begins on March 21 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.