Hooper Starts Jogging, Swimming

West Indies skipper Carl Hooper is recovering speedily in Adelaide, Australia, from surgery on both knees, coach Roger Harper told the Barbados Nation.

"I've heard from Carl and he's in the process of rehabilitation," Harper said. "He's had physiotherapy and reckons he's on the mend already."

Hooper told Harper he had been jogging and swimming and that the specialist who performed the operations was "very pleased" with his progress and didn't foresee any complications, the paper said.

"He's keen to get himself back into top shape and playing again well in time for the World Cup [in South Africa in February and March]," Harper added.

Hooper missed the recent series in Bangladesh because of the injuries that first surfaced before the first Test on the preceding tour of India.

Harper reported that fast bowler Merv Dillon, who also missed the Bangladesh tour with a glute strain, was scheduled to play in a trial match for Trinidad and Tobago this weekend.

But he had "heard nothing" about the situation of Brian Lara, who has been unable to play since stricken with illness during the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka in September.