No Word Yet on W.I Skipper

Despite what is being reported elsewhere, the Viv Richards-led selection panel has not yet communicated its recommendation of team captain to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

The selectors -- Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge and Joey Carew -- participated in a teleconference on Friday to identify a captain for the home series against Australia but, even if a decision was made, it has not yet been passed along to the board.

"Don't expect anything in the way of an announcement until Tuesday, at the earliest," a high-ranking source told CaribbeanCricket.com.

The delay in making a recommendation is apparently related to the condition of Carl Hooper's surgically repaired knees. Immediately after the World Cup ended, Hooper travelled to his Australian home and reported swelling in both knees. He was ruled out of the Carib Beer Cup semi-finals and the selectors aren't even sure he will be available for the Test and ODI series against the Australians.

According to another source, the selectors will wait until tomorrow (Monday) for a medical update on the knees before passing along a recommedation to the board. If passed fit, it is likely Hooper will be retained.

If not, sources say the reins will be handed to Brian Lara, the Trinidadian master batsman who led the team in 18 Tests between 1997 and 1999.