Debutant Holder regrets failure to save Bridgetown Test

Bridgetown (Barbados), July 2 (IANS/CMC) Test debutant Jason Holder has bemoaned his failure to lead the West Indies to a draw against New Zealand in the third and deciding match which ended in victory for the visitors.

The towering Barbadian pacer, batting at number seven, played out two hours on the final day while also seeing off a short-ball barrage as the West Indies battled to save the game Monday, reports CMC.

Set a challenging 308 for victory at the start of a rain-hit final day, the hosts lost wickets steadily and were dismissed for 254, allowing the Black Caps to take the series two-one.

"My goal was just to take the team to the end, whether it was a win or a draw. I thought I played really well, but unfortunately got out at the last stage," Holder said.

"When I came in, seeing the situation of the game, I knew there was a lot of work to be done."

The West Indies plunged to 144 for seven, 25 minutes before tea, but Holder stroked a top score of 52 from 79 balls in two hours, and included three fours and a six.

He inspired a stand of 77 for the eighth wicket with Shane Shillingford, 30 not out, which frustrated the Black Caps.

"Needed to build a partnership to start and to wear down the New Zealand bowlers as much as possible, frustrate them as much as possible," said Holder.

"I came in with (the last recognised batsman) Darren Bravo there and we tried to build a partnership, unfortunately Darren got out."

Holder had also scored 38 in the first innings, and claimed match figures of 2 for 50 in 20 overs.

He said playing his first Test match has given him the confidence that he could perform at the highest level.

"I bring back that belief that I can score runs at this level. For me, it was about making the adjustment from limited-overs cricket to Test cricket," he said.

"I need to leave a lot more balls outside off stump, know where my off stump is, whereas, in the one day game, you tend to like to feel the ball on the bat."

--IANS/CMC

vs/rd/vt