Cricket star in stabbing horror

From the The Bolton News, first published Tuesday 24th Apr 2007.

A STAR cricketer due to play in the Bolton League this season is in a serious condition in hospital in the West Indies after being stabbed.

Alcindo Holder, aged 24, who had signed as professional for Westhoughton, is in the intensive care unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in his native Barbados.

He was scheduled to fly in to England on Thursday and play his first match for the club at the weekend.

He had to undergo emergency surgery after being stabbed below his heart.

It is believed Holder had been a "peacemaker" in a domestic dispute but was injured in the melee.

Tony Sharples, secretary of Westhoughton Cricket Club, said: "All we know is that he's in a serious condition in hospital and is lucky to be alive.

"We are very shocked. We only found out about it on Sunday. We wish Alcindo a speedy recovery."

Mr Sharples said the club's league representative, Steven Parker, had visited Holder in hospital as Steven and four other Westhoughton first team players are currently in Barbados for a World Cup holiday.

The middle-order batsman had signed for Westhoughton after scoring 1,455 runs and taking 20 wickets for Rochdale. He become the third highest scorer in the Central Lancs League last summer.

A regular in the Barbados team, he had been tipped as a future Test player.

Alcindo Holder, a member of the Young West Indies cricket team, greets Rev. Wes Hall, president of the West Indies Cricket Board, before departing for the Youth World Cup.

Rochdale cricketer Dominic Ayres said he spoke to Holder by phone yesterday.

"He was on the critical list for 48 hours," said Mr Ayres. "Although very weak, he said he felt slightly better, but he told me he would be in hospital for another four weeks."

Westhoughton had only secured Holder's work permit three weeks ago, but with Holder likely to be out for a year they must now begin a search for a new professional.

"A few of our cricketers are over there and they are looking at the availability of Barbados-based players willing to come over," said Mr Sharples.

The club is looking for a deputy professional for its opening fixture at Astley Bridge on Saturday.