In his book, "Time to Talk" Curtly Ambrose is as candid as ever with his views on the people he played with as well as his opponents.His comments on Carl Hooper are interesting and for me totally unsurprising except for his frankness.
Carl Hooper was very quiet but what a talent.I never saw him struggle.I always admired him for his talent but he never fulfilled his potential and should have scored a lot more runs.
Many people will consider this comment strange but Carl Hooper had more talent than Brian Lara,but Brian knew that talent alone would not take him to the highest level and he matched that with determination and drive which was where Carl fell down.Shivnarine Chanderpaul is not half as talented as either of those two-bit his determination drove him to great heights.If Hooper had the determination of either of those guys I can only imagine what he might have achieved.
I came down hard on Carl many times and spoke very aggressively to him with some choice words, some strong language, and I let him know that he was too talented a player not to be scoring more runs.
Curtly Ambrose-Time to talk-PP44/45
WOW
Cuss he off yes!!!!!
Message Board Archives
Ambrose on Hooper
In reply to Dukes
Endorsed 100% Ambrose comments...I never saw any talent like Hooper in my lifetime!
In reply to WestDem
LAZY MOFO though.
In reply to Dukes
There is a guy I know who played u-19 cricket for Jamaica when Rohan Kanhai was the coach…he came back from the regional u-19 tournament in awe of Hooper who he thought was the greatest prospect he saw at that level…
In reply to Dukes
He wasn’t lazy, he was carefree!
In reply to FanAttick
Is that player Ricardo?
In reply to Dukes
Sir Courtney cuss he rass… Everyone that followed Carl will attest to Courtney’s views. Watching Hoops under 19 then for Guyana was delightful. Him and Surresh Daniram were batsmen whom scored freely… At least Carl made it and Surresh came up short…
In reply to WestDem
No….
Powell is way younger…I’m talking about a player in Hooper’s age group
Perhaps Ambrose just trying to cozy up to publishers by selling sensationalism and making controversial, unsubstantiated comments.
After all…..he’s new at this book business
In reply to FanAttick
Tony?
In reply to imusic
Not at all
Ambi was asked about Gayle last month and he was not shy about his views.
In reply to WestDem
No..this dude only played at the u-19 level…after that he quit cricket and moved to New Zealand to pursue a phd….he was a very good player who had the potential to do great things but was similarly gifted in academics
In reply to Dukes
Wasn't shy receiving a medal from the late Sir Clyde Walcott betcha that situ caught on video didn't make it into the book
In reply to Dukes
Oh. So being new to a vocation is no hindrance on Ambrose’s opinions and credibility.
Good to know
In reply to imusic
I do not think Ambrose is considering writing another book. Do you?
In reply to FanAttick
I am now lost! Maybe he is just another me!
Btw - the two greatest cricketers I saw live in action are Richie Richardson and Carl Hooper!
In reply to WestDem
He wasn’t a household name
The 2 best I saw live were Yagga Rowe and Viv…
In reply to Dukes
No idea. I cannot read his mind or determine his intent
In reply to FanAttick
Do we share the same household?
In reply to imusic
BTW The late Malcolm Marshall had those same views of Hooper and Lara and expressed them to my cousin at the end of the 1996 Aussie tour.
Hooper tried to blame his father and having to bowl so WI could get 90 overs though he did admit he should have worked harder on his batting.
In reply to WestDem
I would hope not!
Genius without a certain frame if mind gets bored easily. Had the binoculars on the man once. Never saw anyone get in position so early
In reply to Dukes
The Right Excellent, if you please.
In reply to Dukes
Interesting...... Although not half talented as Carl.....Roston Chase can also have same alibi ..... specially in red ball cricket...bowling..... both Lara & Shiv hardly bowled...concentrated solely on batting....
Hooper was so easy on the eye. He had that smooth footwork to hit back past the bowler. He had all the shots.
He always looked comfortable at the crease and would make 30 runs so easily but then get out to a lazy shot which I think was the frustrating thing for his team mates and West Indian supporters.
Great fielder as well.
Hooper was so easy on the eye. He had that smooth footwork to hit back past the bowler. He had all the shots.
He always looked comfortable at the crease and would make 30 runs so easily but then get out to a lazy shot which I think was the frustrating thing for his team mates and West Indian supporters.
Great fielder as well.
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