Home Sports Holder continues to fill pages in Test record books – joins star-studded...
By Clifton Ross
Windies Captain Jason Holder batted his way into history by equalling and setting a few Test records following his magical double ton against England during day three action on Friday in the first Test of the Wisden series.
The 27-year-old hit a breezy 202 not out off 229 balls with 23 fours and eight sixes on his home ground of Kensington Oval in Barbados. Not only was the knock thrilling to watch as Caribbean and English fans were treated to a one-of-a-kind batting spectacle from the lone West Indian in the 2018 International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Team of the Year.
The runs for England to chase hit the 600-mark, which was compliments of Holder and countryman and fellow centurion Shane Dowrich, who supported his captain with a classy knock of 116 not out. The two Bajans created a piece of history as their 295-run partnership became the highest unbeaten stand for the seventh wicket in Test cricket history.
The pair surpassed the previous highest unbeaten stand of 259 set by the India pair of MS Dhoni and VVS Laxman; a record which stood for almost a decade (nine years) before Dowrich and Holder shattered it.
From an individual perspective, Holder’s story in the history books continued as he became the third batsman in the history of Tests, batting at a position of eight or lower to rack up a 200-plus score in an innings. Holder joins distinguished company in former Pakistan skipper and bowling great Wasim Akram and his countryman, Imtiaz Ahmed as the two other players to hit centuries batting at eight.
Akram, the legendary pace bowler, struck a majestic 257 not out against Zimbabwe back in 1996, but it was the late Ahmed, a wicketkeeper-batsman, who was the first player from their country to set the benchmark by hitting 209 against the Kiwis at Lahore, during their encounter in 1955.
Holder’s knock was indeed phenomenal as it further raised his brand as an all-rounder, with him now joining a few big name West Indies players who have at least one double ton in Tests to their credit. Holder equals the likes of Sir Clyde Walcott, Marlon Samuels, Wavell Hinds, Sherwin Campbell, the great Clive Lloyd and others who ended their career with at least a double hundred in the bank.
The list of West Indies players with two or more double tons in Tests is a bit more concise and should Holder continue his batting progression, he could easily surpass the aforementioned past stars and join a panel which includes the legendary George Headley; Guyanese Rohan Kanhai, Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan, the knights Sir Everton Weeks, Sir Frank Worrel, and Sir Garfield Sobers who have two 200-plus scores.
Only Sir Vivian Richards and Chris Gayle have three double hundreds while Gordon Greenidge comes in second with four behind the great Brian Lara who sits at the top of the mountain with 9 200-plus Test scores in his career. Holder also seems poised on developing into a full-fledged batsman, and his innings set him on course to join more esteemed company in the future should he remain Test Captain.
Only Lara features on the list of most Test double hundreds by a WI captain in the history of the format; finessing five 200-plus scores while leading the Windies team. Virat Kohli recently broke Lara’s record by hitting his sixth Test double; leaving only former Aussie skippers Sir Donald Bradman and Michael Clarke, along with South African Greame Smith, as the three others to wrap up the list with four apiece.
A double hundred is a rare thing in Tests despite batsmen having time and patience on their side; to achieve one sets a high benchmark as a batsman and should Holder progress, he could easily wind up on that list of Captains and players in general with multiple doubles in Tests.
