Hooper stays for English summer

MANCHESTER: Former West Indies captain Carl Hooper has agreed to stay with Lancashire for the rest of the cricket season. The 36-year-old Guyanese was initially recruited as a short-term replacement for Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh. But the club asked him to stay on after deciding to terminate Harbhajan’s contract because he needs surgery on his injured finger. “I’m delighted that (coach) Mike Watkinson asked me to stay. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here with Lancashire and it’s a bonus to be able to work with the team over what should be a very exciting season,” said Hooper.  He has scored 231 First-Class runs in five matches so far, at an average of 46, and 202 in one-day competition. Hooper’s off-spin bowling has also proved effective and he took five for 52 in their 10-wicket Championship win over Leicestershire at the beginning of the month. “Carl’s been a valuable addition to the squad and even though we were looking forward to Harbhajan arriving, Carl has filled the position admirably,” Watkinson commented.  “Under the circumstances, I’m glad that he’s decided to stay with us.”