Lara Absence a "Major Blow" - Hooper

West Indies captain Carl Hooper today admitted the absence of star batsman Brian Lara was a "major blow" to the team and predicted a "very tough" series against India.

"It's a very big disappointment," Hooper said about the absence of Lara who will miss the three-Test and seven one-day match series due to hepatitis, according to a report in Outlook India. "He (Lara) is a very, very experienced player and we will miss him certainly. It's a major blow to us."

But the West Indies captain noted that the team had played many Test matches without Lara in the past. "We will put our best foot forward. It's important for people like myself to lead by example. We have got exciting young players".

He described the upcoming tour as a "tough one", but said the West Indies were prepared for it. "We had a ten-day camp in Colombo before coming here. We are excited about this trip. We will play good cricket and I think we can do well".

But he admitted it was going to be very difficult to beat India at home and pointed out that even Australia, one of the strongest sides, could not do it. "We are under no illusion (that it's going to be easy). If we play very good cricket, we can do it (beat India)." Hooper said they were a nice, balanced side with two spinners and five fast bowlers. "Whatever surface we play, we can pick a side that's capable of doing well".

Asked if India was a better side now and had the potential to win the World Cup next year, Hooper said: "It's hard to say. In this part of the world, it's very difficult to beat India as one witnessed in Colombo".

But the World Cup would be played in South Africa under different conditions. "Like the West Indies, India have not done well over the years overseas", he commented.

Asked if the West Indies would focus more on one-dayers in India with the World Cup around the corner, Hooper said the team would focus on all matches, especially Test encounters, and each one of them was going to be very important.

"But with the World Cup round the corner, we will focus a bit more on one-day matches," he added.

Hooper also expressed disappointment over West Indies' early exit in the just concluded ICC Champions Trophy in Colombo.

Welcoming dismissals enabled by the new TV technology put in place of the Champions Trophy, he expressed the hope that it would get better in future. "In a few instances, probably, it could have been used but hasn't been used. But I am sure it's going to get better".

Meanwhile, Hooper said the touring side would start nets at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the practice match is scheduled to be held, tomorrow. The 14- member Board President's XI announced early this week has three openers in Delhi's Gautam Gambhir and Akash Chopra and Railways' Sanjay Bangar.

* SOURCE: Outlook India