MANCHESTER, England, CMC – Captain Jason Holder has no plans on keeping combative Marlon Samuels on a leash during the five-match One-Day International series starting here Tuesday, but has urged the experienced stroke-maker not to get carried away in his rivalry with all-rounder Ben Stokes.
While the West Indies chase an improbable series clean sweep to achieve direct qualification for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, the spotlight will likely also fall on the long-running duel between Samuels and England’s Stokes.
The pair clashed during their last meeting at the Twenty20 World Cup in India last year and many expect a continuation during the upcoming series.
“We’re just looking to play the game as a normal cricket game. Hopefully those two can stay out of trouble and we can have a smooth sailing series,” Holder told reporters here Monday.
Marlon Samuels and Ben Stokes, pictured here in a tense moment during last year’s T20 World Cup final, are expected to resume their rivalry.
“If it helps Marlon, I do enjoy it. If it doesn’t [help him], then I don’t. It’s a whole team we have here and we’re not focussing on those two going after one another. We’re focussing primarily on winning this series and what we need to do to win this series.”
The feud between Samuels and Stokes burst to life during the third day of the second Test of England’s tour of the Caribbean two years ago, when the Jamaican sent his nemesis on his way with a sarcastic salute after the Englishman was dismissed.
And in a tense T20 World Cup final last year, Samuels and Stokes became embroiled in a war of words as the West Indies batsman carried his side to an unprecedented title with a brilliant Man-of-the-Match performance.
Earlier this month, Samuels set the stage for the upcoming series by warning Stokes to “stay on the boundary when I’m batting, as far away as possible.”
Holder said hopefully the rivalry would remain in good taste and not detract from an important series.
“Once it is well within the spirit of the game and it doesn’t go too overboard, I think it is ideal for the game,” he stressed.
“I think with the whole demerit points system around, you don’t really want to be getting yourself in trouble and racking up demerit points.
“That’s something all players have to be mindful of so hopefully he can keep it within the spirit of the game and play a really competitive series.”
England captain Eoin Morgan said he expected Stokes to be up for the fight.
“”I want Ben to be himself. I want him to get into the contest of a game. It’s part and parcel of his character … and getting the best out of Ben Stokes.”
