Why Number Six Is Best For Carl

Carl Hooper has two reasons for going in as late as No. 6 in the West Indies order. We have some good young players and they need every opportunity to develop at the highest level, the new captain said in explanation of the first. They need the responsibility of going in higher.

Hooper used the theory of one of his most famous predecessors, Sir Garry Sobers, as his second reason for batting at No. 6.

We still have a fairly long tail and I think we need to have someone with experience who can stick around with the tail and guide the lateorder batsmen, he explained. I thought that I was the one for that job.

Hooper's favoured position in his 80 Tests before his return this series was No. 5, although he has been used in various spots, including opening in three Tests in England in 1995.

His logic was validated on both counts in the first Test in Georgetown.

All the young batsmen Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Ramnaresh Sarwan were among the runs and, when the tail was exposed in the first innings, Hooper was there to steady things.