Selectors sticking with Hooper

Carl Hooper's international career has been prolonged, and there are three newcomers in a West Indies 14-man squad for the first Cable & Wireless Test against Australia, starting Thursday in Guyana.

Hooper, the 36-year-old Guyanese who was sacked as captain last Monday, has retained his place in the side amidst speculation over his immediate future.

The controversial non-selection of Chris Gayle and the unavailability of injured vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan have paved the way for the inclusion of the uncapped trio of Devon Smith, Dave Bernard Jr and Carlton Baugh.

Smith, the 21-year-old Grenadian opening batsman, is included after two prolific regional seasons, while the Jamaican pair of all-rounder Bernard and wicketkeeper Baugh have been called up after outstanding performances in the 2003 Carib Beer Series.

The presence of Baugh in the 14 alongside experienced wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs is perhaps a sign that Jacobs' place in the side could be challenged in the near future.

In the absence of Gayle, the selectors have named three openers in Smith, Wavell Hinds and Daren Ganga.

It comes somewhat as a surprise that there is no room for a specialist spin bowler in the squad for a match that will be played on a slow, low Bourda pitch.

It means that Hooper will be the first-choice slow bowler with Marlon Samuels providing back-up with his off-spin.

The fast bowling department is predictable, comprising Mervyn Dillon, Pedro Collins, Vasbert Drakes and Jermaine Lawson.

With Sarwan not having yet recovered from a cracked finger injury, the selectors will name a vice-captain later.

The team: Brian Lara (captain), Carlton Baugh, Dave Bernard Jr, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Vasbert Drakes, Mervyn Dillon, Daren Ganga, Wavell Hinds, Carl Hooper, Ridley Jacobs, Jermaine Lawson, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith.