AFG vs WI | Afghanistan need to understand dynamics of Test cricket, opines Jason Holder

11/29/2019

West Indies Test skipper Jason Holder feels that the Afghanistan team are new to the longest format of the game and hence needs to get the hang of it as he believes that they can excel with the quality of their players. Holder lauded spinner ahkeem Cornwall for his 10-wicket haul in the match.

Playing only their fourth Test match, since their maiden Test against India, Afghanistan were handed a 9-wicket thumping by the West Indies side in Lucknow. Shamarh Brooks' ton in the first innings and Rahkeem Cornwall’s 10 wickets were the highlights of the match along with Hamza Hotak’s all-round contribution for Afghanistan which went in vain. Windies skipper Jason Holder feels that the subcontinent is an infant in the world of Test cricket and need more exposure and shared that the team is brimming with potential but need to get the hang of the dynamics of the longest format of the game.

“I think they’ve got some really good players. They just need to understand the dynamics of Test cricket. You learn it over a period of time,” Sportstar quoted Holder.

Holder spoke about his decision to bowl first on a pin friendly pitch after winning the toss as he shared he wanted no stone to be left unturned as his team embarks on the journey of World Test Championship.

“I don’t regret the decision at the toss. In the end, we played a really good cricket game, and we were clinical. I asked the guys to make sure we don’t leave any stones unturned. Probably would have liked a little bit more in our first innings in terms of our batting, but having said that, we had a lead of 90. I think leads win games. Once you have a hefty lead, it puts pressure on the opposition,” Holder said.

Cornwall was the Carribean side’s top performer as he bagged 10 wickets in the match for a side which boasts the services of some top-class speedsters. Holder opined that the harder ball did the trick for the spinners.

“We did expect the spinners to play a heavy role in this game, but with the new ball we probably expected a little more from the fast bowlers. As the ball got older, I felt it did a little bit more. Their openers played well and pretty much saw off the new ball. Our spinners really came into effect with the harder ball, so I think it all worked out the way it was supposed to,” he said, crediting Cornwall.

“ bowled an exceptional spell in the first innings and then backed it up really well in the second innings, supported well by the other bowlers.”