The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)

Holder hopes to impress with the bat after six-wicket haul

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West Indies captain Jason Holder insists he is not finished with England after dismantlin­g them with the ball and wants to add a century to his efforts in the first #raisetheba­t Test.

Holder shrugged off concerns over an ankle injury to take a career-best haul of six for 42 as the hosts were rolled over for 204 at the Ageas Bowl yesterday.

The 6ft 7in paceman settled into a groove that England’s batsmen could not answer on day two – including his opposite number Ben Stokes for 43 – but wants to live up to his status as the world’s number-one allrounder by doing similar damage with the bat.

“It’s a proud moment getting six wickets in England, anything to help this team, but my role is to contribute with bat and ball,” he said, with the visitors set to resume 147 behind on 57 for one.

“I think I’ve soaked it in already. I really want to make some runs now. I have done a good job so far in the first innings but my Test is far from over.

“I have a massive contributi­on to make with the bat. I’ve ticked one box so far, now it’s left to me to knuckle down and get a hundred.”

Shannon Gabriel turned in a highly impressive effort of his own, accounting for each of the top three and returning to end a frustratin­g final-wicket stand of 30, but Holder’s dismissal of Stokes was probably the decisive contributi­on.

He had been dropped twice and his partnershi­p of 67 with Jos Buttler was just threatenin­g to rebalance the scales. Stokes had been using his feet to try and disrupt the bowlers’ plans, but Holder stuck at it and had him caught behind advancing down the track. Buttler, who had looked good for 35, followed close behind.

England paceman Mark Wood, who approached 95mph in a rapid but wicketless spell in the evening, accepted that the tourists were in a strong position.

He has not given up hope of turning the tide though.

“They are on top. They’ve done really well today and showed us the way to go,” he said.

“We lost a few wickets quickly, so there’s plenty to put right in the morning.”

 ??  ?? Jason Holder enjoyed a career-best haul in first Test match.
Jason Holder enjoyed a career-best haul in first Test match.

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