Quote:After 28 Tests, he only has 52 wickets, less than two per game, surely not enough for one of a four-man attack. An economy rate of 2.57 indicates steadiness, but an 87 strike-rate suggests he doesn’t take his wickets anywhere near as often as his team requires.

Currently batting at eight in the order, Holder has played a number of sizeable and important innings for the West Indies. His composure with bat in hand indicates a player with the wherewithal to contribute regularly and substantially, a player capable of batting higher in the order. And Holder batting at six would create a spot for a well-needed additional bowler, perhaps someone like Alzarri Joseph, a young player of pace and promise.

Holder has two Test centuries to his name and averages 30.27, ideally not high enough for someone in the top six. But this gives him a higher average than Jermaine Blackwood, Kieron Powell, and Shane Dowrich, all of whom currently bat above him in the order. He undoubtedly has the capacity to improve his numbers, and there are a number of experts who think that his best role is as a batsman who bowls.