Jason Holder-led West Indies are blowing hot and cold in the ongoing World Cup. (Source: Reuters)

West Indies ODI captain Jason Holder had been thrown at the deep end at just 23. West Indies’ chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd, the legendary former captain, seemed to have lot of faith in Holder’s ability when he elevated him to the role. (Full Coverage| Points table| Fixtures)

Holder was thrust into the position of West Indies ODI captain because the previous occupant, Dwayne Bravo, had led a rebellion on the tour to India. “We expect him to be around for a very long time. He has a very good cricketing brain and has the makings of a very good leader. The selectors decided that now is the time to make the transition, and Jason will have people around him to help and guide him,” said Lloyd at the time of selection before the ODI series in South Africa.

Holder had a tough initiation in South Africa with his opposite number, AB de Villiers, putting West Indies on the chopping block. De Villiers slammed the fastest ODI hundred ever, off just 31 balls. South Africa ran away with the series, but Holder’s West Indies manage to win a match. The series however did not provide any cheer for Holder with the ball. The de Villiers assault at Johannesburg during his innings of the fastest ODI hundred, meant that Holder ended with figures of 9-0-91-0. He then had figures of 9-0-77-2 in the final match of that series against South Africa.

West Indies started the World Cup with a shock loss to Ireland, leading to serious questions about the team’s ability and Holder’s leadership came into question.

“I think captaincy is too much for him at this point in time,” Gibson told Sky Sports World Cup. “I know Jason and he has got the character to elevate himself to captain over time and loves taking responsibility but he has to work on his game at the moment.

“To do that and make sure he is casting an eye in the nets to see how people are performing, sitting in selection meetings, picking players and dealing with media (is difficult), so I am surprised (chairman of selectors) Clive Lloyd has burdened him with the captaincy,” added Gibson.

Holder’s elevation happened despite the presence of former captains like Chris Gayle and Darren Sammy. Support of the senior pros was always a matter of debate and Gibson, having worked with the squad rightly, had his doubts.

“Darren Sammy will help him as that’s his character but I just hope the other seniors give him the support he needs and go to him rather than wait for him to come to them, as he needs a lot of help,” said Gibson.

Holder’s nightmare continued with de Villiers once again thrashing West Indies in Sydney on Friday. De Villiers smashed 162 off just 66 balls, Holder was in the firing line yet again, ending with figures of 10-0-104-1. Holder gave away 64 runs in the last two overs after having given away just nine runs in the first five overs. The man who took Holder down, de Villiers, reached out to him later.

“He’s actually a really nice guy, so yes, we’ve all been there. I’ve been there before in my career, as well. I think every captain goes through really tough games. I think that it was a really tough game for him today, but we had a tough game in the last one at Melbourne. That’s part of the game.

“I know for sure that he’s mature enough to handle it. He’s got enough teammates with experience around him to look after him, and there’s no doubt that the West Indies will bounce back. They’re a classy unit and still a very dangerous team in this tournament,” added de Villiers.

Holder’s figures in the last 10 games have been ordinary with an economy rate of 6.64 runs per over, worse than his career number of 5.70. His bowling average has shot up to 39.85 in the last 10 games in comparison to a career average of 31.83. However, Holder retrieved an awful day with the ball with a gritty show with the bat. He made 56 off 48 balls with three boundaries and four sixes.

“I think if you analyse my bowling today, one player took me out in a sense. It happens. I just need to figure out what I can do better when things like that happen,” said Holder. “My batting, we had really nothing to lose, but we needed to get some runs on the board, try to help our run rate. Just try to be positive and try to stay out there. I was struggling a bit with cramp and felt like I couldn’t go off. I just had to fight through it and try to put some runs on the board for the team,” concluded the right-arm paceman.