WINDIES captain Jason Holder has said it is time for his side to follow in the footsteps of their Under-19 and women’s teams and add a third World Cup to the collection.
Speaking at the Harare Sports Club yesterday ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018, which will be played from March 4-25, Holder admitted the Windies needed to lift their 50-over cricket and hoped this 10-team tournament would help them to find not only a winning combination but also the momentum going into next year’s World Cup in England and Wales.

“We’ve done well in T20 cricket; we’ve done well in women’s cricket and in Under-19 cricket. I think it’s about time we win another World Cup,” said Holder, referring to the Windies’ victories in the ICC World Twenty20 2016 and the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2016.

The Windies won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979 in England and Wales, but are featuring in the World Cup Qualifiers after finishing outside the top eight on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings at the September 30, 2017 cut-off date.

Holder continued: “We know what is at stake. It is an opportunity for us to grab some momentum heading into next year’s World Cup, get some games under our belt, just finalise some combinations, get things straightened and hopefully turn our cricket around in terms of the ODI format. It is probably our weaker format. No doubt, we have not been consistent, something that we have addressed, hopefully going forward we should see some good performances.

“We’ve got a well-balanced side, quality side with experience. Hopefully, we could gel together and make things happen in this tournament.”
Holder praised Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels for making themselves available for the Qualifiers. “I must commend Chris and Marlon, who have come here … to do well for the Windies and give themselves a chance to play another World Cup.
“As I said to the group, it may be an opportunity for guys to finish their careers well; it’s also an opportunity for guys to make a spark in their careers by playing in the World Cup.” (ICC Media)