Holder: Ben could need a helping hand

JASON Holder hinted that Ben Stokes must lean on his senior England team-mates this week as the West Indies captain acknowledged that relying on the experienced members in his team has made his job as captain much easier.

Stokes will lead England for the first time in the series opener in the absence of Joe Root, who is unavailable for the behind closed doors fixture at the Ageas Bowl as he attends the birth of his second child.

How England’s talismanic all-rounder shoulders an additional burden will be one of the major subplots of the first Test and Holder joked he will only impart any wisdom on the job at the end of the series.

But the Barbadian revealed that being able to count on his veteran team-mates has paid off for him as he suggested the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad will be able to support Stokes over the next few days.

Holder, who has been Windies Test captain for five years, said: “I’ll give my advice to Stokesy after the series! But I wish him all the best in this one game as captain.

“I think England are in capable hands, he’s an excellent cricketer, a great competitor and I’m sure the guys in his dressing room look up to him. He’ll have experienced campaigners in his dressing room to help him.

“I think my captaincy has been made a lot easier by my players, particularly the senior guys like Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Kraigg Brathwaite, just to name a few.

“These guys have helped tremendously on and off the park. They have made the job a lot easier. I’ve really enjoyed leading this team, it’s a bright and talented group.”

Holder occupies top spot having averaged 42.5 with the bat and an incredible 14.22 with the ball since the start of 2018 while in the same period, Stokes’ numbers are 37.83 and 30.38 respectively.

While the Windies hold the Wisden Trophy after a surprise 2-1 victory in the Caribbean at the start of last year, Holder believes his side are the underdogs as they eye a first Test series win on English soil since 1988: “England would probably be favourites in their own conditions. They’re a very strong side and they’ve got a really good record at home.”