Kraigg Brathwaite steps down as West Indies Test captain [Update Post# 22]

[Markhor]

CWI confirm they have made the change bringing to an end Jason Holder's 6 year stint as Test captain.

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ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced that Kraigg Brathwaite will replace Jason Holder as the West Indies Test Captain. Brathwaite, who has previously led the team in seven Tests whilst deputizing for Holder, including the recent 2-0 Test Series win away to Bangladesh, becomes the 37th Test Captain of the West Indies.

Holder, the current No.1 all-rounder in the ICC Test rankings, captained the West Indies team in 37 Tests since taking over from Denesh Ramdin in 2015, leading the side to 11 wins, 5 draws and 21 defeats.

Jimmy Adams, CWI Director of Cricket paid tribute to Holder saying: “On behalf of CWI, I would like to thank Jason for all he has given to the game in the region while serving as Captain of our Test team. Throughout his five-and-a-half-year tenure, he has led with dignity while always upholding the highest values of the sport. As the world’s leading Test all-rounder, we all believe that Jason still has a tremendous role to play in West Indies Test Cricket for many years to come.”

Roger Harper, CWI Lead Selector said: “We all believe that Kraigg is the right man to lead our Test side at this point in time and I’m delighted that he has accepted the role. In the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Kraigg was able to motivate his players to play to a very high level and create the culture we are looking to establish where the team showed a collective determination to fight and a real hunger for success.”

Kraigg Brathwaite, said: “It is a huge honour to be given the Captaincy of the West Indies Test team. I feel extremely proud and humbled that the Board and Selectors have given me the opportunity and responsibility to lead the team. The recent Test Series win in Bangladesh was a fantastic achievement and I’m really looking forward to the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka and I’m excited about what I believe this team can achieve in the future.”

The squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka will be announced tomorrow during the interval of the second CGI Insurance ODI at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS).

Test Series Schedule – West Indies v Sri Lanka

March 21-25: 1st Test at the SVRS – 10am ECT/9am JT

March 29 to April 2: 2nd Test at the SVRS – 10am ECT/9am JT

 

[Heisenberg111]

Lol, WICB puts PCB to shame when it comes to incompetence, a poor decision IMO. Holder was doing fine as skipper.

 

[RickyG]

Amazing. They had a top class all-rounder who was taking test cricket seriously. His record is very good as well. And how do they treat him? They sack him. Nicely done.

 

[Suleiman]

West Indies Cricket Board are the chief of clowns still. PCB has improved in the last 10 years while WICB seem to be making decisions after snorting or drinking some stuff

 

[GenericBrand]

Seems like its in response to Holder skipping out on BD tour and Kraigg taking the mantle and leading them to a famous series win.

 

[Rafa]

Braithwaite deserves it after Holder and other seniors skipped the Bangladesh tour.

 

[moghul]

Braithwaite deserves it after Holder and other seniors skipped the Bangladesh tour.

And, five years are enough for a captain unless you're IK, Border or Smith

 

[Last Monetarist]

It's a good decision. Brathwaite has shown a lot of tactical acumen whenever he's led the side, whereas Holder let things drift and waited for the opposition to make mistakes. Both are immensely respected in the dressing room, so I don't see any rift developing.

Brathwaite deserved the job after leading a second-string side to victory in Bangladesh. Holder will now be free from external pressures of captaincy and can focus solely on his own performance. For once, it's a very proactive decision by the West Indies board.

 

[sindhiboy]

Correct decision. Braithwaite looks a much better captain tactically.
No sena team has won a test series in Bangladesh.

This win is alot better than most fans think

It also has taken alot of pressure off holder, his performances may improve even more now.

 

[Markhor]

Anyone who's seen Holder in action knows he's tactically limited. He's more in the Misbah mould - a good man manager and ambassador for your team.

Bowling first in the final two Tests vs England having taken a 1-0 lead, and despite playing two spinners for the 3rd Test, made no sense and conceded the initiative to England.

His domestic captaincy for Barbados in the recent Super50 was poor too.

Brathwaite led a second string side to victory in BAN and is one of their best players, so not a bad appointment providing he produces with the bat.

 

[Hasan123]

Kraigg Braithwaite replacing Jason Holder as West Indies test captain, the reasons behind this?

Jason Holder has been a good leader for the West Indies in the last few years. Today it was announced he would be replaced as test captain. Kraigg Braithwaite is his replacement.

West Indies lead selector said Braithwaite created a good culture in the Bangladesh series. I think Braithwaite did a good job but I'm surprised this changed has happened as there was no rumours. Also Jason Holder has not shown any signs of not wanting the captaincy like Quinton De Kock showed in the Pakistan vs South Africa series.

Other than Braithwaite good showing in Bangladesh, is there any other reason to replace Holder? I'm not going to write of Braithwaite as a captain but I just didn't see this coming at all.

 

[Bewal Express]

Holder is a good cricketer but the performances in NZ were embarrassing and his own bowling was ineffective on helpful pitches. The problem is that Braithwaite is also an awful batsman, with no energy at the crease and even less talent. I am not a fan of Pollard but he looks and acts like a leader and if he became a Captain, he could do a decent job and bat at 6.

 

[BigShak]

Holder was a nice guy but tactically inept. Windies needed to look elsewhere. Only time will tell if Brathwaite is any better.

 

[TestMatch]

IMO this is a decent decision from the WICB.

Holder was exceptionally poor during the New Zealand tour.

I'd give a rest for a while, and let him focus on his game.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Good decision. Apart from tactically poor, his performances have declined quite a bit in recent times particularly in white-ball cricket where I'm not sure he merits a place in the XI. Both these ODI's , he was averaging less than 77 mph.

 

[Last Monetarist]

The captain and the ex-captain building a good partnership at Sabina Park currently. Brathwaite desperately needed some support from the other end to salvage this innings after the West Indies were reduced to 5/100.

From a captaincy perspective, Brathwaite is definitely under pressure after disappointing results against Sri Lanka and South Africa this year.

 

[sweep_shot]

I think Kraigg is really underrated.

He has been the best Test batsman for West Indies for quite a while now.

I also think he is the right man for Test captaincy.

 

[James]

Following his big hundred in the first innings at Antigua against England and now an unbeaten rearguard action in the second, Kraigg Brathwaite has today broken the all time West Indies record for the most balls faced in a Test match with 583 (and counting).

 

[BouncerGuy]

WI captain, Kraigg Brathwaite leading from the front with his 31st Test 50 against Pakistan in the 2nd test on a spin-fiendly track.

Outstanding knock

 

[Bhaijaan]

Very crucial knocks this. WI need to score 200+ here

 

[DeadlyVenom]

On a pitch like this it was a 50 that was worth 150. A good comeback for him after a bad run of form.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Brathwaite steps down as West Indies Test captain

Kraigg Brathwaite has stepped down as Test captain of the West Indies after three years in the role.

The 32-year-old will hand over the captaincy to an as yet unnamed replacement for Australia's three-match Test tour of the Caribbean in June and July.

Brathwaite took over the side in March 2021, leading them to a home series victory against England in 2022 and winning a Test in Australia for the first time in 27 years in 2024.

His team finished eighth in the most recent World Test Championship standings, and the opening batter now steps aside at the beginning of a new cycle.

The West Indies will also have a new captain in T20s, with Shai Hope replacing Rovman Powell.

Hope, 31, who already led the West Indies in one-day internationals, will take charge for the first time in six T20s away in England and Ireland in June.

Powell had led the T20 side since 2023, winning home series against India, England and South Africa.

West Indies cricket: Kraigg Brathwaite steps down as Test captain

Kraigg Brathwaite steps down as Test captain of the West Indies after three years in the role.

www.bbc.com

 

[sweep_shot]

Braithwaite has played 98 Tests so far. He is only 32 years old.

Since he doesn't play any T20 or even ODI, he can maybe play for a long time (150+ Tests?).

 

[jamie smith fan]

One of the greatest servants of windies test in recent times.
His record may not look good by global standards but they are excellent considering their other batters are stuglling to average even 30.

Braithwaite has played 98 Tests so far. He is only 32 years old.

Since he doesn't play any T20 or even ODI, he can maybe play for a long time (150+ Tests?).

 

[Markhor]

Averaging 20 since the start of 2024 so not a massive surprise. Main highlights of his stint - winning in Bangladesh in 2021 with a B team, and drawing away in Australia and Pakistan.

 

[jamie smith fan]

He won against england at home also.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Averaging 20 since the start of 2024 so not a massive surprise. Main highlights of his stint - winning in Bangladesh in 2021 with a B team, and drawing away in Australia and Pakistan.

He could be there Myke Brearley like captain. Like Shan Masood has been for Pakistan.

 

[Bewal Express]

An absolute joke of a player that has killed any enthusiasm for Windies cricket with his constipated batting. Would the Windies have been any worse if they put a hitter at the top. At least that would get the crowds to come back and create a bit of atmosphere

 

[Bewal Express]

Braithwaite has played 98 Tests so far. He is only 32 years old.

Since he doesn't play any T20 or even ODI, he can maybe play for a long time (150+ Tests?).

Please no.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

An absolute joke of a player that has killed any enthusiasm for Windies cricket with his constipated batting. Would the Windies have been any worse if they put a hitter at the top. At least that would get the crowds to come back and create a bit of atmosphere

They don't have any options whatsoever.

 

[sweep_shot]

Please no.

Don't think they have anyone better as a Test opener. Others are worse.

 

[Bewal Express]

They don't have any options whatsoever.

How much worse than this awful player? Just an awful player

 

[BouncerGuy]

Brathwaite reflects on journey to 100 Tests for West Indies

Kraigg Brathwaite is set to play his 100th Test when West Indies take on Australia in Grenada on Thursday.

Kraigg Brathwaite will become just the 10th cricketer to play 100 Tests for West Indies when he takes the field against Australia on Thursday, joining an elite list that includes the likes of Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Brian Lara and Gordon Greenidge.

Over the years, Brathwaite has become a cornerstone of West Indies cricket in the longest format, amassing 5943 runs with 12 centuries in 99 Tests, leading the team in 39 of them, facing more deliveries than any other West Indian and earning a spot in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year in 2022.

His journey began in 2011 as an 18-year-old debutant, but the belief took root much earlier at just 14, when he confidently declared he would one day play 100 Tests for the West Indies.

“I set that goal when I was probably 14 years old — to play 100 Tests. Now I’m here, 18 years later, playing my hundredth Test for West Indies. I’m very thankful, and I just want to be an inspiration for younger guys to follow,” Kraigg Brathwaite said on the eve of the second Test against Australia.

“I didn’t want to just be another player — I wanted to make an impact.”

It wasn’t the dream debut for Brathwaite back in May 2011 against Pakistan in Basseterre. Though he got off the mark with a boundary, scores of 15 and 0 marked a quiet start to his Test career.

By his own admission, it took time for the belief to settle in, but once it did, there was no turning back. A gritty fifty in just his third Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur sparked a run of form, with three more half-centuries coming in his next four matches against top sides like India and Australia.

“I wanted to play for the West Indies from young — but I wasn’t sure I could do it on the big stage. As I played more, the belief came that I could get this job done,” he added.

“Pretty much, from my second or third game, I had the belief that I could do it.”

It took Brathwaite three years to notch up his maiden Test century – a composed knock against New Zealand in Port of Spain in 2014 – but it marked a turning point, cementing his place as a dependable presence at the top of the West Indies order.

“My first 100 against New Zealand was a feeling I can't really describe. I didn’t believe that I would have been that close to a Test century, and then getting it, I could not believe that I scored 100 for West Indies. That really meant a lot and helped me going forward, to know that I can get it done.”

“New Zealand was a young team at the time. They were doing very good things and to get it against them, I felt proud. That gave me the belief that I could get the job done.”

Just a few months after his maiden ton, Kraigg Brathwaite went one better, scoring a brilliant 212 in Kingstown, his first double century in Tests. He capped off a remarkable 2014 with a Boxing Day hundred in South Africa, finishing the year with 701 runs at a stellar average of 77.88, his second-best tally in a calendar year.

At 32, Brathwaite reflected on his journey with gratitude and shared the mantra that has guided his career – dream big, work hard and stay disciplined.

“Grenada is a special place for me and I’m looking forward to playing my 100th Test match. I'm very happy and thankful to be here and honoured to be playing for West Indies,” he said.

“Whatever it may be, from a young age you can set your goals and targets that you want to achieve in life,” he said.

“Work hard throughout the tough times and the good times. Stay disciplined and never take it for granted.”

ICC