Jason Holder looks, acts and speaks like a captain. He is thoughtful about the game, firm in his own opinions, and speaks his mind. He is only 24, but he pulls his players into line when necessary. He also has the potential to be the most important player in the West Indies line-up: he has played only 11 Tests, but already has a Test century and two fifties to his name, and offers consistency with the ball if not bags of wickets.

But it is a hard road ahead for Holder, who so far has captained his team in three Tests for three losses. In those matches, he himself has taken just three wickets at 47.33 and scored 97 runs at 16.16. But those Tests have all been away from home in challenging conditions, in Sri Lanka and then Hobart. There had been glimpses of promise from his team during those Tests, but the challenge is to create more than just glimpses.

"It's not a burden, I'm enjoying the challenge," Holder said of the captaincy, ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. "It'll take time before we get the results we're looking for. We need to build and keep building. We need to put something on the table that we can build on. At the present time we've been fluctuating with a good performance here and then a bad performance there.

I gotta try this excuse with my Bank.

In reply to djdrastic... them pay you?

Holder, the only way to silence your critics is a good all-round test performance. Deeds are more effective than words..

Longman got the timetable!

In reply to sunfish

DREAMERS,

HOLDER IS A DICKHEAD!!!

IN FACT HE IS A "BITS AND PIECES" DICKHEAD!!!

"WE'RE JUST ONE GOOD DAY AWAY FROM A TURNAROUND" HE SAID, REALLY MR HOLDER?

WHAT FCUKING PLANET ARE YOU LIVING ON MATE!!!

TALK ABOUT "PIE IN THE SKY" BULL$HIT!!!!

THAT COMMENT TAKES THE CAKE!!!!

OH RA$$!!!!

FUNNY AS FCUK!!!!

HA!HA!HA!

SHEIK

Sheik caa- ya Ct. He's toughest man on the team bowling and batting. Gud'' line and length In most games and not expensive. Gud'' hands catching.

Have to say that the subject line annoyed me. Was thinking that Holder talks too much. But after reading the entire article I understand what the man is saying. He has to be positive without going over the top when speaking publicly. I am sure that behind the scenes in the dreesing room and training ground, the message is far more direct, honest and brutal. He still remains though, far too inexperienced to be captaining at this level.

In a previous post during the Sri Lanka series, I had suggested that the captaincy should have been given back to Ramdin. Well, I am not so sure about that now. Clive Lloyd and co have a serious problem. After what the selectors and board have done in the last year, we have a serious leadership crisis.

I think that they should seriously contemplate letting Chris Gayle lead the team in all formats for the next two years. Holder or someone else may then emerge as a natural leader.