West Indies have confirmed the appointment of Jason Holder as captain of their one-day international side.
Holder will replace Dwayne Bravo as skipper ahead of next month’s five-match ODI series against South Africa, the West Indies Cricket Board said in a statement.
The 15-man West Indies squad named is being prepared with a view to representing the country at the World Cup next year, though a replacement for the injured Kemar Roach is yet to be confirmed.
Holder made his ODI debut against Australia in early 2013, and was also part of the touring party to India in October this year, playing in the final game of the truncated series in Dharamsala.
Holder has 21 ODIs and 29 wickets to his name, and chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd said: “He has played ODIs for the West Indies before and has done well.
“We know he will continue to grow and demonstrate leadership. He has a very good cricketing brain and has the makings of a very good leader.”
WICB today announced Jason Holder has appointed West Indies ODI Captain. The 23-year-old takes over from Dwayne Bravo pic.twitter.com/QhNtPMkW5I
— westindies (@westindies) December 20, 2014
The 23-year-old was himself delighted to take on the added responsibility, saying: “It's something I've always been looking forward to from [the time I was] a youngster.
“We're down the pecking order in terms of the rankings, so it's about getting the guys together as best as I possibly can and trying to move up the rankings.
“First time will be the series against South Africa. So it’s about us starting well in this series and then moving forward into the World Cup.”
Bravo, Darren Sammy and Kieron Pollard are not part of this squad. However, Pollard is part of the Twenty20 squad to play South Africa, with Sammy captain of the same.
Jonathan Carter and Narsingh Deonarine have been called up to the ODI squad, while the hard-hitting Chris Gayle is also included but is subject to a fitness test.
West Indies are currently involved in a Test series against the Proteas, losing the opener by an innings and 220 runs yesterday.