KINGSTON, Jamaica — Though West Indies are staring down the barrel of losing the second Test and being swept 2-0 by Australia, all-rounder Jason Holder was in a positive mood today.

West Indies were struggling at 16-2 in their second innings at Sabina Park, chasing a further 376 runs for victory with two days remaining in the match.

Left-handed batsman Darren Bravo and rookie Shane Dowrich are unbeaten on eight and one, respectively.

“I think 390 is a good total to get and we have plenty of time to get it so we just need to apply ourselves,” the 23-year-old Holder said in a television interview at close of play.

“It’s a good batting pitch, but you need to apply yourself… and spend some time to get in. There’s some variable bounce there, but if you stay on your front foot and be positive you should be better off,” said Holder, who blasted a 63-ball 82 not out in the first innings.

He added 77 runs for the ninth wicket with Kemar Roach, who added seven.

Holder said the first goal was to ensure West Indies were safe from being asked to follow-on.

“First I wanted to knock off the deficit to avoid the follow-on and we did that. I had a partner in Kemar Roach who supported me well and we were able to push on a little bit more. I tried to play positively because I’m sure the Australians had their game plan,” he explained.

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who snared 5-38 as West Indies were dismissed for 220, said getting the most out of the new ball is important on a pitch that, though not allowing fluent stroke play, has held up well so far.

“I think the new ball is the key… you have to make the most of it because when it gets older it’s a pretty good batting track,” Hazlewood said.

Holder revealed there was surprise when Australia declared late in the day, despite so much time remaining in the game, but added that West Indies fell short of what was required to see out the eight overs.

“We expected the declaration, but I don’t think we probably expected it this soon. I guess it was a bit surprising, but we could have handled ourselves better this evening, [where] we lost two early wickets,” he said.

Sanjay Myers