ICC World Cup 2019 | We bowled too short to South Africa openers, says Jason Holder

The warm-up match between West Indies and South Africa only lasted for 12.4 overs but still the opening duo of Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock showed what they have in store. Amla scored 51 off 46 runs, laced with eight fours and a six while de Kock scored 37 off 30. Jason Holder bowled five overs and gave away 29 runs while Sheldon Cottrell gave 27 runs in his four overs. Andre Russell gave 18 runs in 2.2 overs whereas Oshane Thomas and Shannon Gabriel hardly got to bowl. The skipper Holder felt that the bowlers need to be more accurate.

"The two batsmen played really well and the wicket played well. We have to make some slight adjustments in terms of our length as we were probably a little bit too short. We offered a bit of width at times as well, so in these conditions where the ball doesn't do as much, I just think we need to be as accurate as we possibly can in terms of line and length,” he said, reported Cricbuzz.

“Then we can try and create some problems there and I think if we can stack up some dot balls and stack up some pressure overs together, more often than not you get the wickets you want,” he added.

The West Indies are playing with their big names this time which had become a rarity due to the bad blood between the board and the players. However, they will be a stronger side after the change in management. Andre Russell, who was the ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the Indian Premier League that ended recently, has found a place in the 15-man squad. The side also possesses various other potential watch-winners in Nicholas Pooran and Evin Lewis, as pointed out by the skipper. 

"Andre Russell is one of those guys who is really impactful, he's an impact player and he's a match-winner, so we expect guys like him to play a big role in our World Cup campaign. It's a matter for everyone to come together. We also have guys like Nicholas Pooran, Evin Lewis, I could go through a whole host of names in this squad who are potential match-winners. It's just about us bringing it together collectively and us delivering an attractive brand of cricket,” expressed the 27-year-old.

Chris Gayle is the senior-most player of the side both in terms of age and the number of matches. The 39-year-old has battled with a back problem but did take the field at Bristol on Sunday. The skipper assured that he is being managed very well.

"Chris is definitely up for it and we're just trying to manage him over these two games, giving everyone a chance to get a hit out and a bowl. It's one of these things where we just try to keep everyone as fresh as possible. Chris is one of the guys who carries a bit of age and he's a senior guy within the squad,” explained the top-ranked Test all-rounder.

"Although we want him to be out having a knock in the middle, we still want to manage him in terms of his time spent on his feet as to everyone else in the team. It's a situation where we are just trying to manage everyone and I think everyone is equally committed as they should be and we're just looking to start the tournament well,” he added.

Most of the top players of the side came into the ten-nation tournament on the back of the Indian Premier League while a different squad, few from the current squad, played in the Tri-series against Ireland and Bangladesh. Nevertheless, the skipper dismissed all worries regarding match time.

“I'm definitely not (worried about being underprepared). We just came from Ireland and playing the Tri-Nations Series there, so we've had a lot of cricket leading up to this. Guys have been playing IPL cricket and everyone was playing cricket leading up to this tournament, so I think we're all well attuned to the conditions,” asserted the Barbados player.

The skipper hoped that the side gets good game time in the upcoming warm-up encounter against New Zealand on Tuesday.

"It was not ideal today, but it's out of our control. Obviously, it's a situation where we need to hope we get some cricket in the next two days against New Zealand,” he signed off.