[2] A stylish batsman with a wide range of shots, a brilliant fieldsman and an occasional bowler,[3] Holdship made his first-class debut in December 1893, captaining Wellington against Auckland.
[5] In February he played in New Zealand's first international match, against the touring New South Wales team.
[7] He played again for New Zealand, but not as captain, in 1896–97, this time against Queensland, when he made the side's top score of 69 in another victory.
[9] His last match was against Canterbury in 1898–99, when he once again made Wellington's highest score, 65, but was unable to avert an innings defeat.
[10] After his cricket career, Holdship practised in Wanganui for about 10 years before moving to Australia.