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Jason Holder thrilled with six-wicket haul against England as West Indies captain targets century next

Getty Images
Getty Images

West Indies captain Jason Holder has warned England that he wants to pair his best ever bowling figures of six for 42 with a century that he considers a bucket list item.

Holder scored a double-ton from no8 in the opening Test of these teams’ last series in his native Barbados in January 2018, and says that he always wanted a century in England.

The visiting captain's superb bowling performance saw England bowled out for 204 on another weather-affected day in Southampton.

With West Indies closing on 57 for one, England quick Mark Wood felt the tourists were on top.

“It feels good,” said Holder. "It's a proud moment getting six wickets in England. Anything to help this team. My role is to contribute with bat and ball.

"It's on the back of a wonderful bowling unit. Shannon [Gabriel] led the way, Kemar [Roach] was tidy and AJ [Alzarri Joseph] looked better as he went along.

“I really want to make some runs. I have done a good job so far but my Test is far from over. I have a massive contribution to make with the bat, that's where my focus will be challenged. I don't get caught up with it.

“I enjoyed today's spell, I must say. More so because leading up to the Test I hadn't got the overs I wanted under my belt. I enjoyed the surface and the conditions and I hadn't got five on my last trip here.

Holder was particularly pleased with the dismissal of fellow skipper Ben Stokes in Southampton (Getty Images for ECB)
Holder was particularly pleased with the dismissal of fellow skipper Ben Stokes in Southampton (Getty Images for ECB)

"I really wanted to get on the honours board at Lord's. We were scheduled to play there but then due to Covid they shuffled it around. One of the things I have always strived to do is to score a 100 in England and get a five-wicket haul.

"I've ticked one box, now it's time to knuckle down and get a hundred.”

Holder admitted he was particularly pleased to dismiss his opposite number Ben Stokes for 43, just as he looked to threaten the West Indies.

“It was a big wicket to get,” said Holder. “Stokesy was looking quite set. We put down two chances and he was looking to make us pay. His partnership with Jos [Buttler] was starting to blossom into something that could really hurt us.

“I just wanted to be really consistent to him. He was really settled and countering the line we were bowling. But I was getting just enough movement to keep him at bay, keep him playing and eventually got the edge.”

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