Joseph Holt (cricketer)

Joseph Kenneth "J. K." Holt (10 January 1885 – 7 August 1968) was a Jamaican cricketer who represented West Indies in matches before they attained Test match status.[1] He first played for Jamaica in 1905. He played irregularly for the team until 1911, twice passing fifty runs in a first-class innings.[2] In 1923, he was selected to tour England with the West Indies team.

Playing in first-class cricket for the first time since 1911, he scored 293 runs at an average of 15.42 and took one wicket. He scored two first-class fifties.[2][3] His remaining first-class matches were played for Jamaica against touring English teams, apart from one game for a representative West Indies team in 1929.

In 1928, he scored his maiden first-class century against LH Tennyson's team, and in the next match against the same opposition hit 142 runs, his highest first-class score. The following year, he scored two centuries against Julien Cahn's touring side, the second of which was scored for a West Indies XI.[2] In Jamaica, he had a reputation as a good batsman in difficult situations and a bowler who could take a wicket when others had failed. He captained Lucas Cricket Club to four successive Senior Cup titles.

In later years, he was a respected figure in Jamaican cricket and his son JK Holt junior played Test cricket for West Indies.[4]