Shannon Gabriel’s pace is a handful for any batsman, says Holder

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – West Indies skipper Jason Holder has backed fit-again speedster Shannon Gabriel to rattle England in the second Test starting here Thursday.

Gabriel got stuck into England captain Joe Root in a torrid spell after lunch on the fourth day of the opening Test in Bridgetown, before limping off with bruised toe.

“I wasn’t surprised . It’s something that Shannon has done to many batsmen around world cricket,” Holder told media here Wednesday.

“He carries pace and was really aggressive in that spell, which we asked of him, and it was really good to see him come out after lunch after we were probably a little flat at lunch with England two down and over a hundred as well.

“We needed to break the partnership and Shannon really gave us that momentum. That was really good to see.”

Gabriel has been passed fit for match at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, and is expected to share the new ball with seamer Kemar Roach.

And Holder said regardless of the nature of the pitch, the barrel-chested Trinidadian had the ability to work up a fair turn of pace.

“I don’t think the surface as much to do with Shannon. He’s genuinely quick and kind of awkward as well. We just expect Shannon to continue to run in,” Holder pointed out.

“He obviously had a bit of a toe injury in the last game but that seems to have healed up quite n