Hooper surrenders one more time (27 April 1999)
Carl Hooper has called it quits
27-Apr-1999
27 April 1999
Hooper surrenders one more time
Tony Becca
Carl Hooper has called it quits. After 12 years representing the West
Indies, the 32-year-old Guyanese strokeplayer on Saturday evening
surprised and stunned his colleagues when, out of the blue, he said
farewell and walked out of West Indies cricket.
Unlike the other West Indians who served as long and who, whether
they left willingly or not, were applauded at the end of their days,
Hooper's exit hardly raised a cheer. In fact, justifiable or not, to
many it was simply happy riddance to a cricketer, a batsman, who
promised so much and delivered so little.
Hooper was a classic batsman, on the go he was a beauty to behold, he
did play some superb innings, and despite his failures, there was
always a hope that he would come good next time. The reality,
however, was that in 80 Test matches, Hooper scored 4,153 runs at an
average of 33.77, and in 182 one-day internationals he scored 4,612
runs at an average of 33.76.
According to the West Indies Board, Hooper offered no explanation for
his decision to retire. Many fans, however, believe that his sudden
decision to go was made after a combination of events - after he was
bypassed as captain of the team for the one-dayers following the
unavailability of Brian Lara, and after his failures at Bourda and
Kensington Oval and the heckling at both venues as the fans vented
their feelings.
Whatever the reasons for his decision, and as sudden as it was,
apparently, it was hardly surprising - not coming from one with his
history.
Over the years, Hooper demonstrated little loyalty to the teams on
which he played, certainly for Guyana and for the West Indies, and in
extension, little respect for the players with whom he played.
No player who was loyal to his teams, or who respected those with
whom he played would have pulled out of the Guyana team, many times
at the last moment, as often as Hooper did, and lest it be forgotten,
he pulled out of the West Indies team to the last World Cup - also at
the last moment.
In 1996, Hooper's late withdrawal affected the strength and the
balance of the West Indies team and in many ways reflected his lack
of commitment to West Indies cricket.
This time, however, it probably does not matter. This time, based on
his attitude towards the game as reflected by the manner of his
dismissals in South Africa, his physical condition, and the number of
times he has been runout, he probably would have been a liability
more than anything else. This time his heart did not seem to be in
it. This time, he probably should not have been selected in the first
place.
Carl Hooper had a lot of admirers, and no doubt they will be
disappointed that he will not be carrying the flag during the World
Cup. For them, the hope that he would come good, the promise of a
brilliant innings, still lingered.
Even they, however, must be disappointed that one who served West
Indies cricket for so long, that one who was treated so well by the
selectors, did not have it him to answer the selectors' call, to go
to the World Cup, and to ignore the fans - the same fans who, despite
his shortcomings, had adored, defended and protected him for so long.
Maybe his heart really was no longer in it, and if that was so, then
he did the honest thing. It appears, however, that as it was with his
batting on so many occasions, Carl Hooper, instead of fighting for
survival, instead of showing the stuff of which champions are made,
simply surrendered
Source :: The Jamaica Gleaner (https://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/)