• Captain Holder is king at Kensington Oval

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    West Indies’ all-rounder Jason Holder smashed an unbeaten double century against England in Barbados, and his captain’s knock earns him Friday’s Play of the Day accolade, writes ANITHA MADIKIZELA.

    The records came tumbling down in Kensington Oval as Holder and wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich put the English bowling attack to the sword with a record unbeaten 295-run partnership for the seventh wicket. They declared on 415-6 once Holder reached his double century in the final session of day three.

    The incredible second innings from the home team set England a mammoth 628-run target in their final innings, but the visitors will do well to rescue a draw from the encounter with two full days still left of the match after collapsing in their first innings.

    READ MORE: Roach rips through England, 77 all out

    Holder joined Dowrich at the crease with the West Indies on a precarious 120-6 at the end of a day that saw 18 wickets fall in dramatic fashion. Holder survived the rest of the day and resumed his innings on the front foot on day three.

    The all-rounder smashed a swashbuckling 202 not out off just 229 deliveries, dispatching 23 classy fours and a West Indian record eight blistering sixes against a weary English attack – breaking Sir Viv Richards’ previous best of seven sixes against England.

    Holder’s double century also serves as the highest score of his career, having scored two previous centuries against Zimbabwe and England in 2017 and 2015 respectively.

    The records didn’t stop there as Holder’s stand with Dowrich ended as the highest seventh-wicket partnership for West Indies against England, breaking the record set by Marlon Samuels and Daren Sammy in Nottingham in 2012.

    Holder and Dowrich also share the highest eighth-wicket partnership overall for West Indies, which they posted against Zimbabwe in 2017.

    While Holder’s innings was certainly one for the ages, Dowrich played a big part in the stand as he accumulated 116 not out off 224 balls – including 11 fours and one six – recording his third century in Test cricket.

    England will resume on day four on 56-0 with Rory Burns (39) and Keaton Jennings (11) at the crease, looking to continue their positive start to the innings.

    Scorecard

    Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

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    Anitha Madikizela