West Indies newest Test captain and the return of Fawad Alam — the week in cricket

New West Indies Test captain Jason Holder has come across as an impressive young player in his brief international career so far. Michael Sheehan / Ap Photo

Osman Samiuddin offers his thoughts on the biggest talking points from the world of cricket, including the appointment of Jason Holder as West Indies Test captain.

Holding on to Holder

The West Indies have yet another Test captain. Jason Holder became their seventh captain in the format in eight years when he replaced Denesh Ramdin. At 23, he is the second-youngest West Indian Test captain and with just eight Tests, inexperienced as well.

So it could well end up as another of those decisions West Indian cricket has taken over the last 20 years which has seen them plummet down ranking tables.

But in fairness, Holder has come across as an impressive young player in his brief international career so far. He is already ODI captain and was a little bit of sparkle during a mixed World Cup campaign earlier.

When he put in some significant five-day performances against England and Australia thereafter it became clear that he can go on to bigger things. And unlike so many past captains, he does have the approval of the greatest names of the Caribbean: Viv Richards, Brian Lara and the man who appointed him, Clive Lloyd.

Osman Samiuddin: Four reasons why the UAE is the perfect place for the Pakistan Super League

The return of Fawad Alam

If ever evidence is needed of the intrinsic fickleness of almost all Pakistan’s selectors ever, those asking should be pointed in the direction of Fawad Alam.

A smart batting brain, an outstanding domestic record and outstanding fielding ability have strangely never been enough for a succession of captains and selectors. And this despite averaging over 40 in ODIs and Tests the few times he has played for Pakistan.

Selectors have recalled him to the Test squad for the series against England, which means theoretically he could play his first Test in five years this winter.

Whether he does is another conversation. Pakistan’s Test middle order is fairly settled and if there is a spot, it could open among the openers. Though he is not an opener, he did make his Test debut as one, and duly scored a hundred in Sri Lanka. Two matches later, he was dropped.

Similarly harsh treatment has throttled his ODI career, where Pakistan could really do with his skills. He turns 30 just before the Tests begin, a wonder really how Pakistan have frittered away his career.

The health of cricket

Jagmohan Dalmiya, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, suffered a heart attack last Thursday which saw him hospitalised immediately. Dalmiya has since been in stable condition, after undergoing an angiography, but remains in the coronary critical care unit.

The health of Dalmiya, now 75, has been the subject of whispered discussions since he took over as president for a third term from N Srinivasan in March.

He has not been an active participant in the daily running of the board, where the secretary Anurag Thakur has emerged as a strong figure. Dalmiya, meanwhile, has had to rely on his son Abhishek; in front of the Justice Lodha committee on the IPL spot-fixing case, it was Abhishek who answered questions on behalf of his father.

This is a time of some change within the BCCI and, as with China sneezing and the world economy catching a cold, any uncertainty at the BCCI ripples through cricket.

Hales storm

Alex Hales could become the seventh Test opening partner for Alastair Cook since the retirement of Andrew Strauss in 2012. Hales was selected in England’s squad for the UAE series against Pakistan though whether or not he actually walks out with him in Abu Dhabi on October 13 is not yet certain.

They could do with his oomph, especially given the rut their batsmen got into the last time they were in the UAE. Hales hardly set the world alight in the ODI series against Australia (53 runs in five innings) but he has solid County form to fall back upon: 1021 runs at 51.05, including a couple of “daddy hundreds”.

Hales is naturally a modern, attacking batsman though trying to fit in with England led to a period where his approach was confused. “I spent the winter thinking about what my strengths were and working out that I just needed to give myself a chance and then my natural game could take over,” he says.

Conditions in the UAE may suit the approach, though Pakistan’s spinners will be a challenge unlike any others Hales has faced.

Upcoming matches (all times UAE)

1st T20I: India v South Africa at Dharamsala, Oct 2 (5.30pm)◦

2nd T20I: India v South Africa at Cuttack, Oct 5 (5.30pm)

3rd T20I: India v South Africa at Kolkata, Oct 8 (5.30pm)

1st ODI: India v South Africa at Kanpur, Oct 11 (7.30am)

1st T20I: Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Harare, Sept 27 (3pm)

2nd T20I: Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Harare, Sept 29 (3pm)

1st ODI: Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Harare, Oct 1 (11.30am)

2nd ODI: Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Harare, Oct 3 (11.30am)

3rd ODI: Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Harare, Oct 5 (11.30am)◦

1st Test: Bangladesh v Australia at Chittagong, Oct 9-13 (11.30am)

2nd Test: Bangladesh v Australia at Dhaka, Oct 17-21 (11.30am)

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