'Bangladesh will come back hard at us' – Jason Holder

The last few months have been excellent for the Windies at home. They first drew the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka 1-1 in July and then got the better of Bangladesh in the first Test in Antigua inside three days.

With an incentive to pip Bangladesh to the No.8 spot on the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings, the Windies go into the second and final Test at Sabina Park, in Jamaica in a better space. Holder was confident of his side clinching the two-match series.

"We have been playing some really good cricket," said the Windies captain ahead of the second Test. "To beat Bangladesh the last Test match inside three days says a lot about the kind of cricket that we are playing.

"We had a very good series against Sri Lanka, we didn't clinch it and we've got a few things to look back upon and say we could have corrected it here and there."

The Windies got most things on point in the first Test. The fast bowlers combined to take all 20 Bangladeshi wickets, skittling them out for 43 and 144 to register a convincing victory by an innings and 219 runs, their best on home soil. The batsmen as well, led by Kraigg Brathwaite's seventh Test ton, did a decent job on a spicy Antigua deck.

"I think we are heading in the right direction in terms of Test cricket," said Holder. "We are competent and are winning a lot more Test matches. It is just about clinching the series now.

“We are really confident coming into the last Test match at Sabina Park and this is a place that has been good to us and hopefully it will not be any different. The wicket here seems to have a bit of grass on it, seems firm, so I am expecting it to be a little more consistent than the ones we have played on previously.”

Despite the convincing win in the opening Test, Holder was wary of the talent Bangladesh possessed and expected them to come hard at the hosts in the second Test.

“Definitely believe Bangladesh will come back hard at us," said Holder. "What happened in the last Test match isn't something they are accustomed to. We got the better of them last time around and with the series on the line, I expect them to come out pumped.”

The hosts have also been dealt with a slight setback with Kemar Roach, who was the star performer in the first innings of the opening Test with a five-wicket haul in five overs, missing out due to a hamstring injury.

"Kemar has been our premier fast bowler over the last couple of months," said Holder. "It was unfortunate what happened in Antigua.

"He has had a slight hamstring strain and it is just a precautionary measure in terms of resting him. He is obviously a big loss. He has been doing well, especially with the new ball and also coming back and getting wickets."

Alzarri Joseph, the right-arm medium pacer, has been called in as cover for Roach, and Holder was confident the replacements in the side will do the job.

“We have got more than able replacements for us in the squad," he said. "I think Keemo Paul is more than an able replacement and then we also have Alzarri.”