Holder gets rankings boost ahead of CWC

By CMC.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Newly installed West Indies one-day captain Jason Holder has been given a boost ahead of his first World Cup campaign, after jumping 18 places in the latest ICC One-Day International player rankings.

The lanky 23-year-old seamer snatched eight wickets in the recent five-match series against South Africa, and has risen to a career-best 41st in the latest rankings announced Tuesday.

He finished with a best of four for 53 in the fourth ODI in Port Elizabeth which West Indies won by a wicket, with nine balls to spare.

That victory was their only of the series as they lost 4-1.

Champion off-spinner Sunil Narine, who recently ruled himself out of the World Cup to continue remedial work on his action, remains second in the bowlers’ rankings headed by Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

Narine is the only West Indies bowler in the top 20, with fast bowler Kemar Roach lying 23rd.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Andre Russell has also made good movement in the batting rankings, jumping 18 spots to 54th.

The big-hitting lower order batsman also came to the fore in the fourth ODI against South Africa with a brilliant unbeaten 64, which powered West Indies to their target.

Marlon Samuels is the highest ranked West Indies batsman at 40th.