Holder Highlights ‘Aggressive’Approach Key For Windies in WC

Skipper Jason Holder took 3 for 42 against Pakistan

(Photo: AP)

West Indies skipper Jason Holder on Friday attributed their crushing seven-wicket win over Pakistan to an "aggressive" approach but advised his team to "not get ahead of themselves" at the World Cup.

The two-time champions made a rampaging start to their World Cup campaign by demolishing Pakistan by seven wickets in a one-sided match at Trent Bridge on Friday, 31 May.

"I think our style was just to be aggressive. We just want to be aggressive with whoever we're playing against. It's just something that we need to do in order to pick up wickets," said Holder.

“I think with the the modern-day game, if you are not picking wickets up throughout the innings you’re going to struggle to contain teams. So we just want to be aggressive even if we give up a few runs up front, trying to get wickets.”

Jason Holder, Captain, West Indies Cricket team

Electing to bowl, West Indies used the short ball to dismiss 1992 champions Pakistan for 105 in 21.4 overs and then returned to overhaul the target, scoring 108 for three in 13.4 overs.

West Indies will next take on five-time champions Australia on 6 June.

"We want to remain aggressive. I think every single team in the competition that's going to be looking to pick up wickets throughout the entire innings has been a common trend," Holder said.

“It’s something you have to do, whether it be through spin, which is the way a lot of teams have gone, or whether it be through good fast bowling, which is the direction we’ve been going.”

Jason Holder, Captain, West Indies Cricket team

Going through a tough phase in the last few years, West Indies conjured up hopes of resurgence after their demolition of Pakistan.

Asked how far does he think West Indies can go in the tournament, Holder said: "Look, I'm not thinking too far ahead. We've got Australia in the next encounter. As I said to the guys, we've got a long tournament here, it's just a matter for us to take it game by game, and I'm not getting ahead of myself.”

“We just want to be consistent. The only thing we can focus on and control is cricket, and we’ve got three departments to make sure we’re clinical in in terms of our batting, bowling and fielding, and I just want us to be the best we can in terms of performing our roles for the team.”

Jason Holder, Captain, West Indies Cricket team

Oshane Thomas took 4 wickets for 27 runs. (Photo: AP)

Holder snapped three wickets, while World Cup debutant Oshane Thomas was awarded the man of the match award for returning with impressive figures of 4/27.

Talking about Thomas, Holder said: "He's been excellent. The last game he got five wickets and then he comes and follows it up with four wickets here today.

Talking about the match, Holder said: "Really good start from the boys. I thought we bowled really well. We got wickets with the new ball and really set them back, slowed their momentum and quite fortunate for us we were able to keep picking wickets up and you know they never recovered from the position they were in at the very beginning.”

“I think when we batted it was a clinical performance as well, obviously started nicely by Chris. He put the accelerator on them and was supported by Pooran in the very end.”

Jason Holder, Captain, West Indies Cricket team

Holder praised Andre Russell, who returned with figures of 3-1-4-2.

"His spell had great impact, obviously. It started the slide for Pakistan, and again, he's one of those players that runs in and gives it his all. He has a lot of force going through his body, and he's one of those players that he will give you 110 percent every time he steps up to the plate," he said.

“It was great to see him running in and bowling fast. That’s one thing we ask of him, just to be aggressive in those middle overs, as I said before."

Jason Holder, Captain, West Indies Cricket team

"He's working out quite nicely for us. It's just a matter for us to be consistent with it, and at times not get carried away with it in terms of overdoing it. But yeah, credit to him. He's been outstanding so far, and he's definitely created a buzz throughout the entire team,” Holder added.