DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) — West Indies Test captain Jason Holder says he is determined to avoid controversial off-the-field issues and focus on his main job of leading the Caribbean side.

Responding to questions from media here on the decision by Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels and Carlos Brathwaite to decline central contracts, Holder reiterated he was powerless over such administrative matters and was more preoccupied with galvanising West Indies’ performances on the field.

All three players are members of the Test squad which finally won their first game in 19 months and first on foreign soil in four years, when they beat Pakistan by five wickets in the third and final Test in Sharjah on Thursday.

“As I’ve said about all the negative things around West Indies cricket, those things are basically beyond my control,” said Holder, who celebrated his 25th birthday yesterday.

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In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
Well said/done Jason

To play ignorant of what's going on is essentially condoning what going on.

He MAY be too "young" to know any better....but I suspect not

The time will come for you to man up skippuh. Maybe even sooner rather than later

In reply to imusic

Agree. As skipper sometimes one has to thread that path and stand up for your players if they are wronged. How does he expect to galvanize performances on field if not given the best team?

In reply to imusic

I guess if he talks against the WICB you would be happy, but when he loses his job, you will only say sorry.

What kind of influence do you think he has regarding contracts?

In reply to imusic

You were'nt saying that when he stood up to them for Gayle,Dwayne Bravo and Pollard to be in the team,eh?

BTW, he was captain when he said what he said...go look it up.

The WICB has a PR officer, just like any private company. Those officers are the ones who are authorized to answer those questions

He is a robot....as I posted last week....when he said he feels aboslutely no pressure as cappo....and that was before the WI tem won the last test

By 25 years old...you have to stand for something...you are not just a player...You are the cappo...the leader....no team needs a robot as leader

Sammy was a late learner....but better late than never ....today ISammt has earned some respect.....Holder should open he eyes....WIDE....and see...and learn fast

Shiv learned late too....influenced by Chetty to take the job....but strong enough to give up the job...focussed on his game....and performed well....and made it hard for them to send him packing.....WHICH THEY EVENTUALLY DID .... THE VERY FIRST TIME HE FAILED IN 10 EFFIN YEARS

Holder ...dem done warn you arready....look after yuh future bwoy...

In reply to Narper

He is as smart or smarter than anyone of you.
Make a living son, ignore the hype, the WICB was there before you, and will be there long after you a gone.
Bravo, Carlos and Samuels made a decision for them selves, you make your own decisions for you and your family.
And brother Narp, which players fund has you contributed to, after they were dropped from the team.
Give me a break, Robot?
Are you aware he was denied a MOU last year?

In reply to openning

I hope you are there for him when they send him packing....sooner than Sammy

You should agree that Holder bought some time with his fiver in the LAST INNINGS of a disastrous tour....Sammy waa sent packing for his stats...even after winning two world cups...what yuh think will happer to Holder?

Doan mek me laugh bwoy....advising de bwoy to make a living....Look....Bravo gave up a world Cup tournament to prepare for test cricket.... he didn;t do well enough...what did the Board do to him......degrade and embarrass him by offering a grade C contract

When the cappoship is removed from Holder...he will be dropped....and NO CONTRACT will be offered....how is he going to make a living....did he finish his degreee at UWI?

In reply to openning

Yes

And then they gripped his balls tightly

In reply to Narper

I cannot bat or bowl for anyone, so what any player do or say, it is up to him.
The only people I advise are my three children, and my neices and nephews here
I've never selected any player, or has never been asked by anyone for advise, so if Holder is dropped for any reason, it will be up to him and his advisors, not Openning.

In reply to Narper

Bro, you seem to live your life thru players, I am only a fan.
Players come and go

In reply to openning

Like you ...I know that

But if they are no players...obviously cricket would die

If players don't perform well....fans loses interest...cricket dies

I have no interest in looking for another game

Yes I could follow another team....but I prefer to follow a team from my homeland...a team I have been following for 5 decades....

.....and who sparked my interest then....PLAYERS.....Rohan Kanhai....Garry Sobers...Wes Hall...Conrade Hunte....Lance Gibbs....Basil Butcher...Joe Solomon

PLAYERS WILL ALWAYS BE THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN CRICKET

Good response by Holder..

In reply to buds

Unfortunately that is what the WICB media appointee COACHED him to say...is bajan Spooner still de media man?

In reply to Narper

They will always be cricket and cricketers.
What make it interesting is we the fans, especially West Indies fans, we tell players how to bat, bowl field.
We select who we like, we at times want to negotiate for them.Bro, 5 years from now, we will be talking about another group of players, why?
Because we are fans
BTW, my #1 team is losing 13-0 in the fourth quarter, I must throw on some Pittsburg attire, and send this team some love.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

yUH Right Jason
Dont let nobody get you embroiled in nuh Nonsense

In reply to Narper
Jason Holder can do what he did in the last test match - hes has the ability and he can bat too

In reply to Narper

Stop talking factory and visit the role of a Capt. Narps.

In reply to Narper

... really now.

I agree with Holder here, do not allow them to do you like how they did Sammy, he was tricked into commenting, was he correct...of course but there is a time and place for everything. while it does concern you and it should......Contract disputes should be dealt with at the board level not the player level, and certainly not with the press

In reply to hawk
Holder gave a sensible answer. That's not his role to speculate on players contracts.

Incidentally, I have not seen where any of the three has commented on their refusal of the retainer contracts. They apparently made their decision in their own best interest. Is there anything wrong with that?

In reply to openning

You mean a NOC

In reply to jelfew

certainly not, you have right of refusal and to seek clarification from your "employer" either on your own, via your agent or collective bargaining agency.

Holder is definitely correct....withhold comment