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Jason Holder warns more stars like Nicholas Pooran and Heinrich Klaasen can quit national teams for T20 leagues soon.
Nicholas Pooran and Heinrich Klaasen gave up international cricket within months of each other.
(PC: AFP)
West Indian all-rounder Jason Holder has warned that more players will follow the likes of Nicholas Pooran and Heinrich Klaasen in turning down national contracts for lucrative T20 leagues unless countries’ boards offer fairer compensation.
Klaasen called off his South African career at 33 while Pooran, who was captaining the West Indies not too long ago, did the same at 29 — with the common thread between them being that they are two of the best T20 batters in the world. Both earn much more money as globe-trotters in various leagues than via playing for their countries, although Klaasen did say that he wanted to use the international window time for his family.
“It’s a difficult challenge,” Holder, one of the top all-rounders still balancing the two worlds, told The Times of India. “It’s not just in the Caribbean; it’s happening in New Zealand, South Africa, all around the world. Money drives a lot of it. Unless international boards can meet players somewhere in the middle with fair compensation, more players will continue to choose leagues over their country,” he added.
Holder also rejected the idea that international and T20 cricket can co-exist in harmony with dedicated windows for each.
“Windows are very difficult. The only real way to compete with leagues is by providing greater financial stability in international cricket. Otherwise, more players will turn down their countries,” he said.
There are players on the other side of the spectrum, too. For example, Mitchell Starc has given up T20 international cricket recently to focus on his Test and ODI careers, although Australian cricketers are among the best-paid in the sport. Holder, who has played over 250 internationals for West Indies, including 69 Tests, agreed that despite T20’s rise, it can’t beat red-ball cricket.
“T20 is easier to adapt to as a seasoned professional. But for young players, the longest format is where you really learn to play, hone your skills, and understand cricket. Test cricket is the pinnacle. Franchise leagues bring financial gains, but the purest form of the game will always be Test cricket,” he said.
Holder also promised that though he’s currently out of the West Indies Test set-up, he’ll be back soon.
September 07, 2025, 15:39 IST
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