Speculation mounts that Hooper is to become West Indies captain

Speculation is mounting that Carl Hooper is to take over the West Indies captaincy from Jimmy Adams for the forthcoming visit of South Africa.

Rumours that changes are in the pipeline following heavy defeats against England and Australia have been heightened by a West Indies Cricket Board spokesman who said an announcement would be made over the next couple of weeks.

Hooper brought his Guyana side to Grenada for the Busta Cup match against England A starting tomorrow after heavy January rains ruled out any home fixtures at Bourda until the end of the month.

He has not played in the competition since retiring from international cricket two years ago when he made a sudden departure during a one-day series against Australia after his wife and daughter fell ill at their home in Adelaide.

Hooper's all-round abilities as a fine striker of the ball and a nagging off spinner have brought him 80 caps. He has scored more than 4,000 Test runs and picked up 93 wickets.