Jason Holder has turned over a new page in his career as he prepares to lead the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League, which bowls off on Thursday. The giant allrounder said goodbye to Barbados Royals in a move he said presents “a new challenge” at age 33.
Yesterday he was unveiled as the captain of Patriots at a press conference at the St Kitts Marriott Resort, and looked quite relaxed as he addressed questions on the move and what is ahead. He won the CPL title twice with Barbados – in 2014 and 2019 as Barbados Tridents. There are several Bajans in the Patriots squad including allrounders Kyle Mayers and Dominic Drakes; as well as Leniko Boucher, the wicket-keeper/batter.
“This is a team that wants to do well, so I was happy to accept the challenge and make the move from Barbados Royals. The decision to move had nothing to do with the captaincy. I made the move and then the captaincy was put on the table and I immediately accepted it,” Holder said.
“I think one of the things I bring to any team that I am part of is my calm demeanor and I tend to carry that onto the field. I am very big on team camaraderie and under pressure that counts. For us, it is a matter of taking it one came at a time and staying calm. The goal is to lift the trophy and once we start well, we should be able to do well. If we go through the first phase (at home), without too much damage we should be OK going into the back end. Everybody has made me welcome and I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t think it’s a hard task.”
The Patriots will open the tournament on Thursday night against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at 7pm. Holder said he is pleased with the team assembled for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
“It is always tough losing a franchise especially one you were part of all your career, from the first season the CPL was played back in 2013. It wasn’t an easy decision, but the opportunity presented itself here and I quite liked the opportunity. Playing for Barbados (Trident and Royals) was great, but I felt like the need to move on and make a difference here in St Kitts. I like what St Kitts has to offer and this is my new ‘home’.”
Holder will return to Barbados on Thursday, September 11 when the Patriots take on Barbados Royals at Kensington Oval. (PS)
