Jason Holder: "England’s Frequent Tours Crucial for West Indies’ Survival"

Jason Holder: "England’s Frequent Tours Crucial for West Indies’ Survival"

Former West Indies captain Jason Holder views England’s repeated visits to the Caribbean as vital for the West Indies' sustainability, describing them as a “massive boost” for the team amid financial challenges. 

Holder sees this third white-ball tour in as many years as England repaying the support West Indies provided during the financially straining Covid summer of 2020, when his squad played three bio-secure Tests in England, helping the ECB mitigate potential losses of up to £380 million.

Holder, 32, who led the West Indies during that 2020 tour, noted the sacrifices his team made by staying in strict lockdown to “keep the lights on,” as former ECB chief Tom Harrison described it. Holder had expressed then that the ECB should reciprocate to support cricket’s “smaller nations” who lack the same financial stability. Four years later, he believes England’s ongoing visits fulfill that promise.

Ahead of an eight-match tour airing on TNT Sports in the UK, Holder emphasized the economic impact these tours bring to the Caribbean and the lively atmosphere they generate. 

“We rely heavily on series with England and India; they’re our biggest annual events. The fans love it, and we’re grateful for England’s regular visits over the past few years. Long may it continue,” Holder said.

Despite the financial gap between the two boards, the Caribbean remains a challenging place for England. The English Test team hasn’t won a series there since 2004, and the white-ball squads lost recent series in 2022, 2023, and late 2024. 

Holder expects another closely contested series as both teams undergo transitional phases. While England will try new combinations, West Indies aims to develop young talents like 17-year-old Jewel Andrew, who recently debuted in the ODIs.

 "The first time I saw Jewel Andrew was in a recent CPL match," Holder shared. "He stood out immediately—very composed and unhurried at the crease, which is a great sign for a top-order batter."

Holder believes Andrew’s potential is limitless, as long as he keeps learning and working hard. "He’s coming in with confidence after scoring well at lower levels. We’ve all had that feeling when we first entered international cricket, the freedom to express ourselves. The more he gains in knowledge and confidence, the stronger he’ll make us in the years to come."

Holder noted that talent has never been in short supply for the West Indies; it's about cultivating it. "There’s no doubt he’s one for the future. I hope the West Indies keep him in the system, helping him develop steadily so we can fully benefit from his abilities."

Holder himself hasn’t played in the white-ball format since withdrawing from the T20 World Cup due to injury but will serve as a TNT studio pundit during the series. "I haven’t retired—that’s still a way off," he confirmed, with hopes of participating in the 2027 World Cup. "There are a few more series to get through. Right now, I’m working on regaining full fitness to play at my best."

Reflecting on the T20 World Cup, Holder admitted that England’s win over West Indies in the Super Eights hindered their goal of reaching the semi-finals. However, with players like Evin Lewis and Shimron Hetmyer primed for the England series, he believes this squad will soon have more opportunities to compete for major titles.

Despite some disappointments, Holder is optimistic about the squad’s youthful potential. "The team is still young enough to stay together and chase another trophy in 2026. We’re assessing our strengths and weaknesses and building from here."

For now, Holder anticipates an intense, high-scoring series between two aggressive teams, where the Caribbean’s unpredictable winds could impact strategy. "The wind is always a big factor here. It can shift tactics, especially when deciding to bat or bowl first."

He noted that England, having played several series and the T20 World Cup recently in the Caribbean, are familiar with these conditions. "Antigua is practically a second home for England after so many recent matches. Their younger players will benefit from the experience of senior teammates who know Caribbean conditions well."