Thorny issue: Jagdeo singing wrong tune

The singers in Carl Hooper's choir seem to be increasing everyday he steps on the cricket field.

The latest is his country's president Bjharatt Jagdeo who joined the long queue last week, urging the West Indies selectors to put Sir Carl in the team for the forthcoming series against South Africa. Nothing wrong with all the lobbying, but I wonder about the politics of the whole matter, and especially so, when the country's leader gets involved when the first Test is to be played in Guyana, March 9-13.

What if?

His has the potential to stir some emotions. What if he is not selected? What will the implications be for a home crowd thirsty to see their hero play and then he does not? I am sure you get the point. But Hooper is doing the right thing - talking at the moment with his stylish bat accumulating close to 800 runs up to the time of writing, decorated with three centuries. This should be enough.

The selectors will either pick him on his current form or bypass him because they see the need to rebuild with some younger players. There's the feeling that should Hooper return, one of the young players like Marlon Samuels or Ramnaresh Sarwan might suffer, especially with the likely comeback as well of Shivnarine Chanderpaul once he's fully recovered from the injury that forced his early return from the Australian tour. Even so, I don't think at this stage we need any reason that gives the impression that undue pressure is being placed on the selectors to pick Hooper. He has said he wants to play again after announcing his retirement two years ago and he has shown that he's up to the task with his batting and his leadership.

The selectors should now be allowed to do what they think is best for West Indies cricket.

If meritocracy means anything he should be considered, he qualifies automatically, but if the selectors, as I indicated before, decide there are other factors that disqualify him, then I am prepared to live with it.

I wonder, though, if some people will be prepared to do the same without creating any problems.

Besides, I am wary when high-powered and influential politicians not only want to sing in a player's choir but also want to direct the selectors. It usually produces a muffled sound.