Miscellaneous West Indies News Briefs (25 Jan 1996)

Carl Hooper has withdrawn from the team chosen for World Cup citing illness. Did not even contact home team Guyana who he was due to lead this weekend in the Caribbean championship known as Red Stripe.

Hooper who was expected to be a possible opener has been replaced by Vincentian fast bowler Cameron Cuffy.

Meantime, the Red Stripe tournament opens Friday 26th January with defending Champions Barbados playing Trinidad at Guaracara Park in south Trinidad.

World record batsman Brian Lara will lead the Trinis while West Indies wicketkeeper Courtney Browne will lead Barbados.

Other teams in the annual tournament are Jamaica, Guyana, Leeward Islands which comprise players from Antigua-Barbuda, St Kitts- Nevis, Montserrat and Anguilla; and Windward Islands with players from St Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, St Lucia and Dominica.

West Indies team members must play in this tournament to retain their qualification. Its an effort to ensure that the best players are available for the home crowds to see and applaud.