Holder: Big effort needed by Windies on final day

WEST Indies all-rounder Jason Holder said a “big effort” is needed on Friday for West Indies to complete a victory in the second Test match against Sri Lanka and complete the series win at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Sri Lanka will resume the final day’s play on Friday on 29 without loss in pursuit of an improbable 377 for victory.

Earlier in the day West Indies declared its second innings on 280/4 setting Sri Lanka the imposing target.

Holder played a solid innings on Thursday with an unbeaten knock of 71 off 88 balls.

West Indies are ten wickets away from a series win after the first Test match ended in a draw.

Speaking to Cricket West Indies media following the close of day four, Holder said, “It’s ten wickets (we need). Ten big balls (we have to bowl). Big effort from the entire group (and) every single person got a part to play…we got to be clinical and make sure that any half chance that comes our way we capitalise on it.”

On the batting performance on Thursday, Holder said, “Credit to Kraigg (Brathwaite) again I thought he played an outstanding innings. Kyle (Mayers) came in and looked his normal aggressive self. Unfortunately Jermaine (Blackwood) or John (Campbell) did not really get off, but it is still good to see the guys really rallying around one another.” Brathwaite hit 85 and Mayers struck 55.

Holder commended the West Indies batsmen for not being too aggressive in an effort to earn quick runs in the second innings.