West Indies fast bowling legend Curtly Ambrose has rubbished suggestions conditions in Bangladesh are a good reason for up and coming fast bowler Chemar Holder to be left out of the Test team for next month’s tour.

The 22-year-old made his debut under difficult conditions in New Zealand, earlier this month, performing creditably despite a heavy loss for the West Indies.  Holder ended with figures of 2 for 110, with one maiden, but often providing some testing deliveries despite not claiming more wickets.

Some believe Holder would have proved a suitable replacement for his namesake, but Cricket West Indies chief of selectors Roger Harper pointed out that the player had been excluded for a spinner, considering the spin-friendly nature of pitches in Asia.

Ambrose, however, does not agree and pointed out that it is crucial the young fast bowler, having shown promise, be given the opportunity to excel in all kinds of conditions.

“That to me is utter nonsense.  I can’t support that.  If you want to be a top-class international cricketer, you have to be able to bowl on all surfaces, in all conditions anywhere you go,” Ambrose said.

Read more at SportsMax

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

I agree with Ambrose, it is utter nonsense that C Holder was omitted, Tino Best took 5 wickets twice in Test matches in Bangladesh several years ago, the Tino Best that hardly ever take 5 wickets in the WI regional tournaments.

In reply to dayne
I watched the match that Tino had his best bowling spell ever.
He was injured and bowled within himself, he was not fast as usual, he was medium and controlling the ball.

In reply to openning

Well if Harper continues with his way of thinking he should be out of his position soon, for years now the WI have been taking their fast bowlers to Asia and have won there, I read of a time when Van Holder took 6 wickets in an Inning in Asia in the era that they were preparing spin friendly pitches and Van Holder was not express pace either.

Holder ended with figures of 2 for 110, with one maiden - he is young, give his back a little time to recover!

In reply to XDFIX

There were a few catches dropped off of his bowling.

I don't agree with Harper but I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he knows our bowlers will have to toil and he does not wish to subject young Holder to donkey work. We shall see.

C. Holder has a bright future. Six months won't change that.

i think that it is important for a young cricketer to feel he belongs in the squad but having said that CH is probably not unhappy to remain home rather than go to Bangla under the pandemic.

In reply to VoopsandOut

Isn't he part of the ODI team? He still have to travel ent

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
Totally agree with Sir Ambrose. Harper has time and time again show his inept as a selector. Chemar has done plenty to be retained in the test squad. Chemar is young and needs the experience to hone his craft.

Youth been waiting for couple years now. He partnered ALJ yet still wont be given the chance to continue to develop his game. Funny thing is the youth is a thinking bowler and really would look to adapt to the conditions. He needs overs under his belt to develop.

In reply to seaegg99

I'm in agreement, the Bangladesh pitches are not that much different from the WI pitches where C Holder has been impressive.

In reply to dayne

Bangladesh has fast bowlers too

In reply to methodic

Yes Harper's justification for Holder's omission is weak, my guess is that since he was a spin bowler he has a deep belief the the effectiveness of spinners, which I think could be misplaced in the present situation. The team already have Cornwall, Warrican, Permual and Hodge as a back-up.

In reply to Headley

So you don't carry him? You nuh haffi play him. Rubbish. Harper is a shyt harper.