West Indies Club: Hooper staying put

The president of Carl Hoopers Australian club, Colin Lovitt, said he expects Hooper to be playing cricket at Carlton Cricket Club for at least two to three more years.

Speaking to Weekendsport yesterday, Lovitt, a Queens Counsel, came out to set the record straight over the blow-out which has seen the Victoria grade cricket club blocking Hooper from playing in the Busta Cup for Guyana.

Carl has settled in well with life in Australia and I expect him to play here until the end of the season. Actually, I expect he will be playing in Victoria for another three years, said Lovitt from his Melbourne home.

He also spoke of the situation which developed on Wednesday, saying that it appeared Hooper was being pressured by officials in Guyana.

He seemed to have received pressures from Guyana to return and play, Lovitt said. What he decides is up to him, but we expect him to honour his contract with us.

Lovitt added: If he had received an offer to play Tests, we would have reconsidered the situation. We think it would be improper to stand in his way to play Tests.

He said he spoke to Hooper and chairman of selectors Craig Cook yesterday after the situation began to escalate.

There were rumours going around, so I had to talk with them to find out the situation, Lovitt said.

I was shocked to hear of allegations of a meeting to block Carls move. We had no meeting to discuss Carl, just our ordinary meeting.

Lovitt said the club had no intention to take Hooper to court for a breach of contract.

Carl is a lovely guy and he has settled in well with us. We have not even contemplated any legal action against him for any reason.

Hooper has been in fine touch for Carlton this year, making 522 runs at 58 per innings.