The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket
As the West Indies selectors meet today to recommend a captain for the upcoming four-Test series and seven One-Day Internationals against Australia, the career of incumbent Carl Hooper hangs in the balance.
The 36-year-old Guyanese has had a love-hate relationship with Caribbean cricket fans ever since his Test debut against India at Bombay in 1987.
Sometime tomorrow, the West Indies selection panel -- Viv Richards, Joey Carew and Gordon Greenidge -- will huddle up to identify a captain for the home series against Australia. Barring a dramatic last-minute change of heart, Richards will recommend Carl Hooper retain the job and they'll all nod in approval, scribble his name on a sheet of paper and send it for the WICB rubber stamp.
It won't be a hugely popular decision. But, it will be a logical decision. Actually, Hooper is the only viable option for Sir Viv and company and if you want someone to blame for that, look no further than Mike Findlay.
The final round of the Carib Beer Cup produced a total of six centuries, the most in any round of the tournament. Centuries by Brian Lara (T&T), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Guyana) and Sherwin Campbell (Barbados) helped secure outright wins.
Stuart Williams (Leewards) also got a second innings century in a losing cause while Rawl Lewis (Windwards) and Carlton Baugh (Windies 'B') scored unbeaten hundreds for teams losing outright. All six century makers, along with Trinidadian, Andy Jackson, who scored half centuries in both innings of T&T's match, make up the batting line up for this round's All-Star team.
Guyana and West Indies skipper Carl Hooper will miss Guyana's semi-final match of the Carib Beer International Challenge tournament.
According to a Guyana Cricket Board release , the GCB "has received a report of a medical examination by Dr. Michael Kitchener in Australia which advises that Hooper is experiencing soreness and swelling of both knees. The doctor has administered an injection and ordered rest," the release stated.
Before going into a complex strategic plan, let's do the simple. First, we publicly sack Carl Hooper. Make a statement for the future. We do not reward mediocrity.
Secondly, you make forward thinking statements with intent. Vasbert Drakes is appointed interim captain, until Ramnaresh Sarwan takes over for the England tour. Ridley Jacobs will be understudied by Carlton Baugh Jr (or whoever) as this is his final season.