Job not finished – captain Holder

Former captain Jason Holder signalled his return to the West Indies Test team with a scintillating bowling performance which has given the regional side the upper hand heading into today's second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground in Antigua.

Holder bagged five wickets, while fellow pacer Kemar Roach snared three scalps, as the West Indies sent the Sri Lankans in on day one and dismissed them for 169.

The host saw through the remaining 13 overs on an opening day, to be 13 without loss, and trail by just 156 runs with John Campbell unbeaten on seven and captain Kraigg Brathwaite on three.

Earlier, Holder and Roach demonstrated the art of seam and swing bowling with pace, as the Sri Lankans failed to cope and lost wickets in clusters in all the sessions. The final session was the most telling as the visitors lost five wickets for 40 runs. Their score could have been a lot lower were it not been for a lengthy vigil at the crease from opener Lahiru Thirimanne, who made 70.

Holder finished with figures of 17.4 overs, six maidens, 27 runs in claiming his eighth five-wicket haul. Roach, who utilised the older ball with great effect, ended with three for 47 from 16 overs. Rahkeem Cornwall, who picked up the first wicket of the day, ended with one for 25 from 14 overs.

Job well done

For Holder, it was a job well done by the bowling unit.

"It was a really good days play for us and I thought our bowlers got the job done. It's good to see Kemar (Roach) putting his hand up once again and leading the way for us and then I was able to support him. However, the job is not finished because there is a lot to be done in this game. Our next priority is to put up a big score on the board and give our bowlers something really nice to run at the Sri Lankans in the second innings," said Holder.

Roach, who also had a good outing with the ball, praised the effort of Holder.

"Jason (Holder) was fantastic, he was his normal self, very economical and consistent and he loves to work hard and the rewards he got today (yesterday) was well deserved," Roach said.