Skills gained in IPL will help to dominate CPI, says Holder

Bridgetown (Barbados), July 2 (IANS/CMC) Promising fast bowler Jason Holder says his debut year in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has prepared him well for participation in the inaugural Caribbean Premier T20 League (CPL) which bowls off at the end of the month.

Holder, who will turn out for the Barbados Tridents in the CPL, says he has gained a wealth of experience after he was snapped up by IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings.

"I definitely think the IPL has prepared me for the CPL. I have gained a lot of knowledge over the past few months with the IPL players," said Holder, who played six matches but grabbed only two wickets for the Chennai Super Kings.

"I have had a lot of conversations with various international players around the world - even at the Champions Trophy - so I think I have broadened my knowledge in terms of how to react in certain situations so it's just about executing it in the game."

Holder has played only two One-day Internationals for the West Indies.

However, the Barbadian cricketer has already been picked for three international tours - the most recent being the ICC Champions Trophy in England and Wales.

He says he intends to use the experience gained to dominate the CPL.

"I am very excited about the CPL. I think it is a great initiative mixing the local players with some international stars," he said.

"The teams are very evenly balanced so it should be very interesting to see what transpires in the next few months."

Holder made his first class debut back in 2009 representing the West Indies Under-19s at the Youth World Cup in New Zealand.

A year later, he gained a surprise call-up to the Windies senior team in 2012 as an injury replacement for fast bowler Tino Best on the limited overs tour of Bangladesh.

He played six matches and grabbed only two wickets for the Super Kings but still managed to get the attention of pundits with his steep bounce and sharpness.

"It was a surprise after having only one tour with the West Indies team but I guess my name was out there or thereabouts from under-19 cricket," said Holder.

"Then getting the opportunity - it wasn't a huge contract - but for me it was just about gaining the experience and mingling with the international stars which was a wonderful experience for me."

The Barbados Tridents are led by franchise players Kieron Pollard and Shoaib Malik who will play alongside Holder, Dwayne Smith, Shakib al Hasan, Umar Akmal, Shannon Gabriel, Rayad Emrit, Ashley Nurse, Carlos Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Kyle Mayers, Devendra Bishoo, Kirk Edwards and Raymon Reifer.

--IANS/CMC

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