by Donald Duff in Jamaica
Stabroek News
March 8, 2001

Guyana skipper Carl Hooper is satisfied with the performance of himself and the Guyana team during the just concluded regional first-class cricket season.

Hooper who was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the two-tiered tournament said at the presentation of awards ceremony "....the season went well from a personal and team point of view."

Hooper said the team gave a good account of itself and pointed out that most of the members of the side, which lost to Jamaica in the final of the Busta International Shield competition were, " a good bunch, though young."

He expressed the hope that they would continue to develop and be able to one day play for the West Indies.

Hooper praised the efforts of manager Pat Legall and coach Mark Harper who he said "worked hard" adding that it was a shame that Guyana "did not get some sort of silverware to show for their efforts."

The Guyana team did however receive the runners-up cash prize of US$2500.

Hooper said the team came to Jamaica, tried its best and could not have played any harder. He congratulated the Jamaicans on their triumph and singled out Christopher Gayle and Wavell Hinds for special mention.

Hooper, who will skipper the West Indies team in the upcoming first test against South Africa at Bourda tomorrow said he hoped that the two Jamaicans' form would continue into the test series against the South Africans.

Hooper also praised the Jamaican crowd, saying they were "wonderful" adding that he hoped to get the same support when he returns with the West Indies team for the fifth one-day international against South Africa.

Speaking of the upcoming series against South Africa Hooper said the 5-0 whitewash inflicted by the South Africans was still fresh in his mind even though it was some two years ago.

He suggested that any positive result would be a welcome one.

And winning captain Jimmy Adams, who received the cheque for US$10, 000 said it was a very good way for his team to finish the season.

Adams said the Guyana team played well.

He disclosed that his team dedicated the game to Courtney Walsh who he said, might have played his last game for Jamaica.

Speaking of the final itself Adams said it was a good game and he knew that on the flat wicket the game would have been decided on first innings.

He praised his batsmen for making the total they did and also his bowlers for responding to the challenge of defending the total.

Hooper was voted the Top Caribbean all-rounder and received the sum of US$1000 and a medallion for winning the Ranji Nanan award.

He was also adjudged the top Caribbean batsman in the tournament for his record 954 runs with four centuries and four half centuries including two scores in the 90's.

This award named after fellow Guyanese Clayton Lambert was also worth US$1000 and a medallion which Hooper received from former Jamaican player Jackie Hendricks.

Other award winners were Alex Adams of Anguilla who took 16 catches to win the Roger Harper award for the best fielder and Dinanath Ramnarine, who copped the Clyde Butts award for the best bowler in the competition with his 41 wickets at an average of 18.58. There was also a special award to Gayle and Leon Garrick for their record breaking unbroken opening partnership of 425 against West Indies `B'.