WICB in support of Holder
St John’s (Antigua): The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) says it will make every resource available to newly-appointed captains Jason Holder and Stafanie Taylor, in order to ensure the success of their tenures. Director of cricket, Richard Pybus, said the WICB was cognizant of the challenges associated with captaincy and had already written both players to inform them they would be granted whatever support systems they required, reports CMC. “The directors and the management of the WICB recognised that being captain of a West Indies team is a unique challenge and carries an enormous burden of responsibility,” Pybus said in a release Thursday. “We have written and offered them access to whatever support systems they believe is necessary for them to handle their responsibilities in a purposeful manner.” The announcement comes just days after the WICB was criticised by renowned former opener Desmond Haynes, who contended there was no system in place to support Holder as a young captain. At 23, Holder is the youngest ever Test captain and comes to the post with a mere eight Tests and 33 One-Day Internationals under his belt. However, Pybus appeared to push back against Haynes’s claims, pointing out that legendary former captain Clive lloyd — the current chairman of selectors — was already in place to help both Holder and Taylor.
Brathwaite ready for Sl tour
Bridgetown (Barbados): West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite expects a challenging tour of Sri lanka and wants to be prepared both physically and mentally if he gets his first call-up to the Test side. The 27-year-old, an attacking right-hander and penetrative seamer, is a member of the 15-member squad which leaves for Sri lanka this month for a two Test series, reports CMC. Brathwaite said conditions in the Asian nation would be trying, especially the humid weather and the hosts’ spin-based attack, but he was using the ongoing preparation camp to properly equip himself. “Playing spin is always a challenge and they are very good at strangling basically. It’s not something we are accustommed to in the Caribbean,” Brathwaite said. Agencies