ICC World Cup 2019 | Very hopeful of Andre Russell’s fitness, says Jason Holder

West Indies have gone ahead with a full-strength squad at this World Cup and thereby, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell were also a part of the side. In the team’s opening encounter against Pakistan, Gayle scored a quickfire 50 but seemed to be in discomfort due to his pain. The big-hitting Russell stunned everyone in the match as he bowled fiery bouncers but left the field after bowling three overs. The all-rounder did not return to bowl and his services were not required with respect to batting. However, Jason Holder has revealed that both the players are expected to be a part of the playing XI at Trent Bridge today.

“The beauty with both of those guys (Gayle and Russell) is they've played enough cricket. We just tend to trust them, take their word and then make a final determination on the team then,” he said in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, reported Cricketnext.

“Chris (Gayle) was at practice for the last couple days, so he is all well and ready to go for me. Andre will be assessed in training, and we’re very, very hopeful that he’ll be fit,” the skipper added.

The rivalry between Australia and West Indies goes back to the inaugural 1975 World Cup, where both the teams fought it out in the finals. The latter was the winner back then but in recent times, it has been the Kangaroos who have come out on top. The skipper reckoned that he is ready for the challenge.

“It’s always been a great rivalry between West Indies and Australia. I think everybody is expecting a really good contest. We're up for the challenge. I think they're up for the challenge, as well,” expressed the 27-year-old.

“I wouldn't really get too deep into rivalries, but we expect a really good contest from the Australians. I'm not caught up with rivalry, I'm not caught up with the past per se. It's a matter for us to go into the game looking to execute our plans and beat Australia.”

The square boundaries at Nottingham are quite short the pitch is expected to be a paradise for the batsmen. It is the same ground where England had struck their record-breaking score of 481/6. The skipper, however, vowed to remain positive in the game.

“We've all seen the way the world cricket has gone the last couple months -- well, last two years per se. And there have been some high totals and there have been some aggressive stroke play. We just want to be as positive as we possibly can be,” explained Holder.

Holder further went on to say that the toss doesn’t matter and the side will be looking to play with full intensity.

“I think whether we bat first or if we chase, we've got to show intent. Intent is something that we spoke about in the dressing room, and it's something that we want to go about our goal with when we go into our innings. Yeah, I don't want to get too caught up with the conditions, but at the end of the day I just want the guys to show intent and be fearless,” he signed off.