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Why Holder Should Bat At Six

 
spider 2017-11-18 00:43:09 

After 28 Tests, he only has 52 wickets, less than two per game, surely not enough for one of a four-man attack. An economy rate of 2.57 indicates steadiness, but an 87 strike-rate suggests he doesn’t take his wickets anywhere near as often as his team requires.

Currently batting at eight in the order, Holder has played a number of sizeable and important innings for the West Indies. His composure with bat in hand indicates a player with the wherewithal to contribute regularly and substantially, a player capable of batting higher in the order. And Holder batting at six would create a spot for a well-needed additional bowler, perhaps someone like Alzarri Joseph, a young player of pace and promise.

Holder has two Test centuries to his name and averages 30.27, ideally not high enough for someone in the top six. But this gives him a higher average than Jermaine Blackwood, Kieron Powell, and Shane Dowrich, all of whom currently bat above him in the order. He undoubtedly has the capacity to improve his numbers, and there are a number of experts who think that his best role is as a batsman who bowls.


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silver 2017-11-18 06:10:24 

In reply to spider


Not yet

 
Emir 2017-11-18 07:15:38 

In reply to spider

He is not a front line bowler nor a secured front line batter, he is a good number 8 batter in international standards.

It is why he cannot make the team purely based on merit, it is why he should also not be captain.

 
spider 2017-11-18 08:31:14 

In reply to Emir

Think he has the talent to develop as a batsman and would be a good fifth bowler

 
black 2017-11-18 08:35:12 

In reply to spider

Why bat him at six? Wouldn't 7 accomplish the same as far as freeing up a bowling spot?

 
Emir 2017-11-18 08:53:54 

In reply to spider

Think he has the talent to develop as a batsman and would be a good fifth bowler


Well true but so do other potential allrounders in the region, there are many. The issue is this, it is unfair to WI, the players and fans to have him as cappo.

I cannot think of any international cappo who is still developing and trying to find a niche.

He should be made to fight for his place as a player first and foremost.

 
spider 2017-11-18 09:07:16 

In reply to Emir

I agree he was given captaincy too early

 
spider 2017-11-18 09:08:07 

In reply to black

yes.

 
sunfish 2017-11-18 11:08:56 

The writer has made a strong case for Holder at 6 and he is not the only one making that call. I agree totally and also move Blackwood up to 3.

 
ellisstreet 2017-11-18 11:20:04 

In reply to spider

The main argument against Holder at six is that it would weaken the batting. This would be particularly perilous in a side not immune to the occasional batting collapse. It is possible, of course, that the move could fail. Yet there is a reasonable chance it could make the team better and therefore more competitive.


Holder is a better batter than Blackwood / Dowrich and possibly Chase. He is a very gifted batter who can bowl a bit. Moving him to six should inspire him to concentrate on the development of his batting potential.

 
Headley 2017-11-18 11:24:18 

In reply to spider

We can agree on at least one thing. There is no future for Holder as a top four bowler. This implies limited success for WI. I agree Holder at 6, bring in a real pace bowler and tell Blackwood to row the boat at 3 or try the view from outside the boat.

Additionally Holder is a piss poor captain (lacks tactics and aggression). I don't blame him because the board picked him before he was ripe. But it means the board needs to be grooming someone for the job. It will eventually come to Hetty so they may as well start grooming Hope and Hetty.

 
timeless99 2017-11-18 11:24:54 

He is simple not a good enough number six and if he is not batting as 6 he should not be in the playing 11 he is just not good enough as a bowler