Why Hooper must stay

THE EDITOR: Limited overs cricket is farcical. If the WICB looked to change captains every time the WI team failed in a limited overs tournament,  we would have no captains left.

Statistics would show that the WI’s fortunes in limited overs cricket has been in steady decline since Sir Vivian Richards was captain.
The WI players do not play enough of the shorter version of the game to master all of the subtleties and, more importantly, to learn how to read the game. Case in point is the way  Chanderpaul ended his innings against Sri Lanka as compared to Michael Bevan batting through to be not out against England!

At the time Hooper was appointed, the WICB was searching for a captain that could communicate with and command respect from and who had a precedent of success with young players, and who could also lead with dignity and humanity. Carl Hooper fitted and still fits that description. This is why Sir Vivian is so adamant that Hooper would have succeeded only when this team turned the corner. He must be allowed to make that contribution.

Shane Kissoon
Candice Gardens
Saddle Road,
San Juan.