Stabroek News
May 17, 2001

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CANA - In spite of winning the final Cable and Wireless One-Day International against South Africa, embattled West Indies captain Carl Hooper just managed a grin instead of a smile after yesterday's encounter at the picturesque Arnos Vale ground.

Hooper said it was a pity the regional team could not have come up with such a performance when the series is not already decided.

"We are under no illusions. I think at the end of the day, 5-2 is the scoreline. I think it is just like the Test matches where we won in Jamaica, we were already two-nil down.

"It's good to win but one of the disappointing things, I hope is that we can play like we played today on a more consistent basis," said Hooper.

The captain said such performances are frustrating because it reveals the players have the ability to do better.

"I think that is the frustrating thing, like today, we showed that we can bat and bowl well. Not only did we bowl well but we certainly batted well and it's just a shame that we couldn't put in this performance four or five games because we certainly would've won the One-Day series," Hooper said.

Hooper dismissed suggestions that South Africa eased the pressure by resting experienced fast bowler Allan Donald and changing up their batting line-up.

"I don't think so. Regardless, of who the South Africans play and in what positions they bat and bowl in, they are a very professional side and they would want to win the game," Hooper said.

Hooper said "there has been a lot of effort being placed in the batting, bowling and fielding over the last couple of weeks."

"Sometimes, we get it right, sometimes, we don't. I think today is one of the days where I suppose the efforts in the fielding area showed up," Hooper said.

"But having said that, also the effort in the batting, in the

bowling, showed up...from time to time, we looked good but as I said

before, we need to be a bit more consistent when playing against sides

like South Africa.

Hooper also reflected on both the Test and limited overs series.

"Without making any excuses, I thought we were very competitive in

the Test series. I think we should have won at least two Test matches.

The One-Days, I thought we were outplayed by a better side, a more

disciplined side," Hooper remarked.

"I am disappointed with the One-Day score-line certainly, a

losing 4-3 would've been better than certainly 5-2," Hooper said.

"Two-one in the Test matches, I really can't complain because

while I think we could have won more than one Test match, I think

given the youngsters that we've got in the side with their experience

and coming against a side like South Africa, even though we are

playing on our ground, with conditions that we are familiar with,

I thought it was a good effort," reasoned Hooper.