Cricket West Indies has announced Kraigg Brathwaite as the new Test captain ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. The opener will take over from Jason Holder, who led the side in 37 Tests since 2015. Holder has led the Windies in 11 Test wins, five draws, and as many as 21 losses. Holder took over the role from Denesh Ramdin in 2015 and has now passed on the baton to Braithwaite.
Kraigg Brathwaite Named As Windies Test Captain
“On behalf of CWI, I would like to thank Jason for all he has given to the game in the region while serving as Captain of our Test team. “Throughout his five-and-a-half-year tenure, he has led with dignity while always upholding the highest values of the sport. As the world’s leading Test all-rounder, we all believe that Jason still has a tremendous role to play in West Indies Test Cricket for many years to come” Jimmy Adams, Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket, said.
Meanwhile, Chief selector Roger Harper has welcomed Kraigg Brathwaite to his new role and has wished all the luck. He added that Brathwaite has already been able to motivate his teammates successfully and had already created a culture where the team shows the zeal to fight and a hunger to succeed.
Brathwaite made his Test debut for West Indies back in 2011 against Pakistan. He is a veteran in the format for the Windies having played 66 games and scored close to 4000 runs. He has eight hundreds and a double hundred to his name in the format as well. The upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka is his first assignment as Windies Test captain.
“We all believe that Kraigg is the right man to lead our Test side at this point in time and I’m delighted that he has accepted the role. In the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Kraigg was able to motivate his players to play to a very high level and create the culture we are looking to establish where the team showed a collective determination to fight and a real hunger for success” he said.
Windies finished the World Test Championship group stage on 160 points winning only three Tests in four series. Meanwhile, Kraigg Brathwaite said that he will look to inspire the team to perform better in the next cycle.
“It is a huge honour to be given the captaincy of the West Indies Test team. I feel extremely proud and humbled that the Board and Selectors have given me the opportunity and responsibility to lead the team” he said.