Exclusive | ‘I still want to play Test cricket’: Jason Holder calls for ‘fair compensation’ to counter lure of T20 leagues | Cricket News – The Times of India

Exclusive focus returns to the longest format as Jason Holder sets out a clear message: “I still want to play Test cricket.” In a pointed call, he urges “fair compensation” to address the lure of T20 leagues, signalling a debate that sits at the heart of the modern game.

The sentiment is straightforward yet significant. Holder underscores a desire to remain connected to the West Indies Test team, even after more than a year without a Test appearance.

Set against the backdrop of changing priorities in global cricket, this stance highlights a choice many players now confront. The pull of short-format leagues is strong, and it challenges how the sport sustains its traditional pinnacle.

Holder’s emphasis on “fair compensation” aligns with a broader conversation about balancing aspirations with the evolving ecosystem. It is a reminder that incentive structures matter when players weigh formats and commitments.

Test cricket retains a unique standing for those who value its demands and legacy. By reaffirming his interest, Holder adds weight to the case for preserving its appeal.

The mention of T20 leagues points to an undeniable magnetism. It is a factor that boards, teams, and players navigate constantly as calendars and priorities shift.

A sustainable approach would aim to keep Test ambitions viable alongside modern opportunities. Holder’s words bring that need into sharper relief, without diluting the importance of either path.

For the West Indies Test team, such declarations are noteworthy. A player signalling intent after an extended absence suggests motivation that can be harnessed with the right alignment.

The “Exclusive” framing underlines the clarity of his position. It offers a snapshot of where a seasoned cricketer sees value and how he hopes the system can respond.

Fair compensation, as articulated, is about parity of regard and recognition. It is a call to ensure that those committing to the red-ball format feel adequately supported.

The lure of T20 leagues is acknowledged directly in his framing. The challenge, therefore, is not to resist change, but to reconcile it with the essence of Test cricket.

Ultimately, the message is one of continuity and aspiration. Holder wants to play Tests, and he wants the structure around him to make that choice sustainable and rewarding.

His stance adds momentum to an ongoing discussion in cricket’s corridors. If responses match the clarity of the appeal, the format stands to benefit through renewed commitment and balanced opportunity.

In the end, the takeaway remains clear. A player’s stated desire to return to the West Indies Test set-up meets a reasoned request for fairness, set against the realities of contemporary cricket.

As conversations evolve, this articulation becomes a reference point for stakeholders. It recognises the pull of T20 leagues while protecting the space that Tests occupy.

For fans, it is a timely reaffirmation of red-ball intent from a prominent voice. For administrators, it is a prompt to calibrate policies that nurture both tradition and progress.

This exclusive note adds to the season’s talking points without straying from the core theme. A simple assertion of desire, and a practical suggestion to back it up.

What follows will depend on how the cricketing landscape listens and adapts. The balance between formats, and the support for those who choose them, remains the central equation.

Until then, the declaration stands on its own merits. It is an appeal for fairness and a pledge of interest in the game’s oldest and most exacting form.

Source: Sports Feed.