Hooper expected to sign for Lancashire next week

Carl Hooper, the former West Indian captain, is expected to sign for Lancashire next week, as a replacement for the injured Harbhajan Singh.

Hooper, 36, had been expected to play against the Australians in the current Test series in the Caribbean, but he retired abruptly after being replaced as captain by Brian Lara. It was not the first time Hooper had left the international stage - he emigrated to Australia in 1999, only to return as captain in 2001.

Jimmy Adams, the man whom Hooper replaced as captain, defended his decision to play county cricket ahead of Tests. "Test cricket is highest level of the game," said Adams, "and if for whatever reason you don't feel up to it, then leave it alone." Adams also speculated that the way the captaincy issue had been handled was a significant factor in the decision.

In all, Hooper played 102 matches for West Indies in a 15-year career, scoring 5762 runs at 36.46, with 13 centuries and 27 fifties. He also took 114 wickets with his offbreaks, which are sure to come in handy on the spin-friendly Old Trafford wickets.