Hooper denies walking out on West Indies

PORT OF SPAIN, MARCH 20. Carl Hooper, whose appointment as West Indies captain sparked enormous controversy earlier this month, has denied accusations he abandoned the team two years ago.

Hooper came out of international retirement when he was put in charge for the current five-Test series against South Africa.

The news split West Indian cricket opinion down the middle and prompted a bitter attack from former fast bowler Michael Holding, who claimed that when Hooper retired two years ago, he had walked out on the West Indies in its hour of need.

Gary Sobers also criticised Hooper's appointment. ``People said I walked out but that is just not true,'' Hooper told the Port-of- Spain newspaper Sunday Express.

``I just felt that quietly there were signals around telling me that I should not be wearing the West Indies colours any more and I did not want to be in a place where I felt I was no longer needed.''

``When I said I was ready to leave, nobody sat down and tried to talk with me to find out what was wrong.''

Hooper was not surprised by Holding's attack. ``There are some people who I admire for what they have done in their cricketing life and just that. He would be one of those in that category.

``You have to learn that not everyone who has played the game of cricket at the highest level will always be able to do other things in life as they should have done.''

But Hooper did not expect to be criticised by Sobers. ``I just thought he should have had more tact, especially as his opinion is so highly regarded by many and in light of seeking the best for West Indies cricket.''

Hooper, who replaced Jimmy Adams, said he was delighted with the response from his players. In his first match in charge, West Indies ended a run of seven successive Test defeats as it drew with South Africa. ``Brian Lara was one of the major people very helpful to me. He was giving advice during the Test match and ready to share the batting responsibilities where necessary,'' he said.

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