Vanburn Holder - West Indies Cricketer

One of the first set of players to play one-day crickettook more than five wickets in an innings on three
for the West Indies, Vanburn Alonzo Holder was aoccasions.
fast-medium bowler who played for the regional teamWith the bat, Holder was handy but not spectacular.
between 1969 and 1979. He played in the transitionLike his bowling, his batting was composed, but he
period for the West Indies, where they moved fromnever scored a half-century in Tests. His best effort of
being a good, competitive team to being world-beaters42 came against New Zealand at Port of Spain in
in the late 70s.1972. Batting in 59 innings, "Van" managed 682 runs at
Born on October 10 1945 in St. Michael, Barbados,an average of 14.20. In addition to his 40 Tests, the
Vanburn-better known as Van-made his First Classmedium pacer played 12 ODIs, including the West
debut for Barbados as a 21-year old. His first Test forIndies' inaugural one-day international in 1973. Holder
the West Indies-against England at old Trafford,played in the Caribbean's winning 1975 World Cup
Manchester-was just two years later, in 1969. Theteam. From his 12 ODIs, he reaped 19 wickets at an
Barbadian medium pacer had an average debut-takingaverage of 23.89 and an economy rate of exactly
only one wicket as the West Indies lost by 10 wickets.4.00 runs per over.
Holder's best Test haul in a match was 8/223 againstFor the West Indies, Barbados, Orange Free State
Australia at Adelaide, where the Caribbean team lost(South Africa) and Worcestershire, Holder played 313
by 190 runs. It was against the Aussies in Port of SpainFirst Class games. He scored 3593 runs at 12.97, with
that Holder produced a match-winning effort whilea best of 12 for Barbados. In the bowling column, his
taking career-best innings figures. He scalped 7 Aussiemedium pace bowling brought him 950 wickets at
wickets for 44 runs to help the Windies to a 198-run34.52, with a best innings analysis of 7/40. After his
win. In 40 Tests, and bowling in 72 innings, theplaying days ended in 1986, Vanburn Holder become
Barbadian took 109 wickets at an average of 33.27.involved in officiating and later became a First Class
His strike rate of 83.4 suggests that he was more of aumpire.
stock bowler than a penetrative strike bowler. Vanburn