Hoops stands out in Australia

Melbourne - While the West Indies team were celebrating their dramatic first Test win over Zimbabwe, their former teammate Carl Hooper had reason of his own for celebration.

Hooper has been named winner of the Ryder Medal, awarded to the player of the season in the Victorian Premier League, the main club competition played in and around Melbourne.

The second Carlton player in a row to win the medal (after Abdul Qadir last season), Hooper scored 1 041 runs and took 24 wickets this season, despite Carlton failing to make the semifinals.

Hooper received 39 votes, with former Victorian players Warren Ayres (30 votes) and Ian Hewitt (29) second and third respectively.