New skipper Holder trusts senior players will support

Centurion (South Africa), Dec 21 (IANS/CMC) Newly appointed One-Day International (ODI) captain Jason Holder is convinced he will have the full support of the West Indies squad, despite his relative inexperience at the highest level.

The 23-year-old was announced Saturday to lead the ODI side after Dwayne Bravo was sacked following 19 months in charge, reports CMC.

Holder, however, has played just a single Test and 21 ODIs since making his international debut last year February but believes the side will rally together under his leadership.

"The support is key at this present time, me being a young leader in this (format of the game). I have good support staff around in terms of the management team and the senior players who I get along well with so it is just about me trying to gel everybody together and trying to move in the right direction," Holder said.

"I just want to take it step by step. My first assignment will be the series against South Africa and I think it is key that we built some momentum going into the World Cup but I really don’t want to look to far down the road, to be honest."

"My biggest task at the moment is to build trust, build a relationship with my players and try to get the best out of them in situations in games."

He added: "I obviously look up to a lot of the senior players in the squad. My role has primarily shifted a little bit now in terms of leading and guiding these guys. It is something I am up for and I think I will be supported well by the senior guys because I have a pretty good relationship with them."

Holder is the third ODI captain named within two years after all-rounder Darren Sammy was axed last year May and replaced by Bravo. Selectors have also excluded Bravo from the 15-man squad named to face South Africa in a five-match series next month here.

Holder said following behind Bravo would be a challenging task but stressed he was ready to help the West Indies restore their image in world cricket.

"I am obviously very happy to be appointed in this post. It is something I’ve looked forward to from the time I was a youngster and now being able to take up the mantle after Dwayne Bravo is big boots to fill but I’ll just be trying to move the team forward," Holder said.