Christchurch, Feb 19 (IANS) All-rounder Darren Sammy believes embattled West Indies captain Jason Holder needs the unbridled support of his teammates to navigate the current turmoil surrounding the team’s poor form.
The 23-year-old Holder has had a fiery baptism, presiding over the Caribbean side’s 1-4 thrashing at the hands of South Africa last month and then as the West Indies slumped to a shock four-wicket defeat to minnows Ireland in their World Cup opener Monday.
"You just need that spark and we as a group have got to carry him through,” former ODI captain and the current Twenty20 Sammy was quoted as saying by CMC Wednesday.
“He’s young, he didn’t ask to be put in that situation and as one who has been in that situation, I know what that feels like. I will try my best to help him along and also encourage the team to help him along because captaining the West Indies is a very, very tough job.”
Holder’s appointment as captain was not without controversy. He replaced Dwayne Bravo who had only been in the job for just over a year, after replacing Sammy in 2013.
Bravo was also axed from the squad, following his role as spokesman for aggrieved players during the abandoned tour of India, a move that prompted claims of victimisation from several quarters.
Senior team player Chris Gayle, a member of the World Cup squad, also publicly lashed out at the selectors’ decision to drop Bravo and Kieron Pollard.
Despite this furore, Sammy said Holder still commanded the support of the senior players.
"At least now Jason has the backing of the guys in the dressing room, the senior players want to see him do well,” Sammy pointed out.
“It’s very tough. I don’t know what’s going on in his mind but from what I’ve seen he’s a strong character, a strong individual.”
Sammy also advised Holder to seek supernatural help in difficult times.
“(He needs to) stay strong and pray to the man above. He controls all things,” Sammy, who has represented the West Indies in 120 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) said.
“If you’re feeling down, you whisper a prayer to him. That’s what I did but I had good support around me with my family.”
West Indies are currently here preparing to face Pakistan in their second match of the World Cup at the Hagley Oval Friday.
Twitter has suspended the account of actress Kangana Ranaut. Twitter says Kangana has broken the
The lethal bowling of Harry Shipley (5/31) helped New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 198 runs in the f
Maamannan: Madras High Court gives relief to the makers of 'Maamannan', refuses to stay the film
There is good news for the makers of the Tamil film 'Mamanan'. The Madras High Court has refused
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday launched a major attack on the central governmen
In the two-day session of Congress on the banks of Sabarbati river in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, party p
The Delhi Police has made a big disclosure about the violent demonstration on the Red Fort during
Andhra signs MoU with Singapore varsity
Hyderabad, March 31 (IANS) The government of Andhra Pradesh, the National University of Singapo
Lucknow Supergiants all-rounder Marcus Stoinis shattered the pride of Chennai Super Kings in
The Income Tax Department raided Shilpa Shetty's restaurant in Mumbai on Thursday. According to n
Classes suspended in AMU after suspected swine flu death
Aligarh, Feb 14 (IANS) Classes have been suspended for five days in a women's college in Uttar
