'Pumped-up' Windies will cause upsets

'Pumped-up' Windies will cause upsets - Hooper
Stabroek News
January 17, 2003

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ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC) - West Indies captain Carl Hooper says his side's relative inactivity in the run-up to the World Cup finals in South Africa could be to their advantage as some of the other teams are looking "jaded."

Speaking at the Windies' two-week preparation camp in Antigua, Hooper said his players are "pumped up" and they will cause a few upsets in the tournament that begins on February 9.

He said he is not worried they are not engaged in a series at this time like most of the other teams.

"I'm not concerned about it. I don't think we will be short of cricket going into South Africa. We have got a couple of match simulation games lined up (during the camp). It is not going to be the real thing but (they) will probably help some of the players who are short of match preparation," Hooper said, as the camp entered its fourth day Thursday.

"We have two warm-up games in South Africa against two international teams before our first game. Those will have to do.

"We are not short of cricket. We have just come off a series in India and Bangladesh. So while at the same time you want to get a lot of cricket, you have to make sure you are not over-killing and you are fresh.

"I've watched the Aussies and the Indians and they look a little bit jaded and hopefully that will work in our favour."

IMPRESSED WITH PLAYERS' ATTITUDE
The 36-year-old Hooper said he was impressed with the attitude of the players after joining them for the first time on Monday since he missed the tour of Bangladesh in early December to do an operation on his knees, which he said was a success.

"So far so good. We are a little bit pumped up at the moment. The guys all look fit. I'm sure we are going to have two weeks before we go off.

"I think we are going to surprise a lot of people as the tournament progresses and I think we will be right up there in the semi-final and finals."

West Indies players go through stretch routine in a pool.

He also welcomed back world star batsman Brian Lara, who has not played international cricket since an undisclosed illness struck him down in September.

Lara's only game was a practice match in Trinidad last week.

"(It's) good to have him (Lara) back. Being a world-class player, he would add strength and depth to the side. He is an experienced player, which is also what we need in big a tournament such as this.

LOWER-ORDER BATTING
Hooper said his lower-order batting will also be crucial if the team is to progress and he is confident that recalled Barbadian all-rounder Vasbert Drakes can make a difference.

"We try to put some emphasis on the lower half making contributions because you can never get enough (runs). I think the inclusion of someone like Vasbert Drakes has strengthened the lower half of the batting. He hasn't had too much of an opportunity as yet.

"But I'm sure as we go forward, you will see the lower half of the batting contributing because this is something we have stressed the importance of, the lower half making a significant contribution to the team's total," said Hooper, who appears in his first World Cup tournament since 1992.

After a week at the Jolly Beach hotel doing fitness and motivational sessions, the players will turn their attention to match preparation at the Stanford Cricket Ground, formerly known as the Airport Cricket Field, adjacent to the V. C. Bird International Airport.

Two day/night matches will be played on January 23 and 26 starting at 2.00 p.m.

Ex-Windies pacer Andy Roberts and Kenneth Benjamin will assist coach Roger Harper in preparing the batsmen.