Hooper available to return for West Indies

Carl Hooper has announced that he is coming out of international retirement and is available to play for the West Indies again.

The 34-year-old former West Indies vice captain was recently named as skipper of the Guyana side for the regional Busta Cup competition which starts on 5 January.

Hooper, based in Australia, announced his availability to play again for the West Indies during a practice session with the Guyana team.

"I have told the selectors that I am no longer in retirement," said Hooper, who played in 80 Test matches, scoring nine centuries and taking 93 wickets.

He retired suddenly during the 1998-99 one-day international series against the touring Australians. He said then that all was not well in the team.

He returned to Guyana with his Australian wife and son last week to join the team's preparations for the Busta Cup.