Windies fume at 'crippling' Holder ban

Cricket West Indies president Dave Cameron on Tuesday criticised the ICC's "punitive" and "crippling" decision to ban captain Jason Holder for the third Test against England in St Lucia.

The allrounder was suspended and fined 40 percent of his match fee for a slow over-rate during the Caribbean side's famous 10-wicket thrashing of England in the second Test at Antigua.

Holder has scored 229 runs and taken seven wickets in the series as the Windies have shown signs of a revival in claiming an unassailable 2-0 lead.

"We will, of course, abide by the ICC ruling, but we have to wonder if such punitive action at a pivotal stage of the series is good for cricket," said Cameron.

"What a shame if the series is remembered not for the sparkling play of the reinvigorated West Indies players but for a crippling decision made by a rule that ought to be modified."

The ICC said in a statement on Monday that the Windies were two overs short of their target for the match and also fined all of the hosts' other players 20 percent of their match fees.

The 27-year-old Holder was also found guilty of a slow over-rate during his team's third Test defeat by Sri Lanka last June.

It is the second time Holder has been suspended after he missed a Test against New Zealand. Two over rate offences in a 12-month period trigger a suspension.

Critics argue that forcing the team's captain to sit out is exactly what Test cricket does not need in its struggle to stay relevant in the Caribbean.

The first two Tests in Barbados and Antigua were both well attended, but most of the crowd were supporting England – not the home team.

"The game really doesn't help itself," tweeted former England batsman Michael Vaughan.

Retired Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne also weighed in.

"The test didn't go three days. What a ridiculous decision. Where's the common sense here?" he tweeted.

The minimum required over rate in Tests is 15 per hour, although the number can be modified by the match referee to account for extenuating circumstances while allowances for the fall of wickets, drinks breaks and other breaks in play are taken into account.

Opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite will skipper the side in Holder's absence, with seamer Keemo Paul called up to replace Holder in the squad.

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been included, despite the death of his mother during the second Test.