In the recent history of West Indies cricket, say the last 50 years or so, few of the team's captains have been dynamic enough to actually change the face of West Indies cricket forever.

Perhaps only (Sir) Frank Worrell, Clive Lloyd and (Sir) Viv Richards, the latter never having lost a series while in the top post, can claim to have moulded a generation, if indeed not a full Caribbean nation, in thought, word and wonderful cricketing deeds.

Hooper: Could be a great captain Photo © John Dawson

Firstly came (Sir) Frank Worrell, the gentleman/scholar with his knowledge of the Caribbean history and its peoples and their struggles. Yet, (Sir) Frank was the first really public West Indian cricketing "rebel", despite all the reverent things that are always said about him.

He actually refused to tour India on one occasion because he thought that the fees offered by the governing body were pitiful reward for international sportsmen. Where, can anyone tell me, have I heard that since; recently even? Was the new West Indies captain, Carl Hooper, not involved in such activities as recently as 1998, with the tour to South Africa? Already, at least, Hooper has got the right pedigree.

In awe of his contribution, we know that (Sir) Frank was very much a people's man, making sure that the West Indies became a respected cricketing nation the world over.

After all, just before leaving Australia, after losing "gracefully" to the hosts in 1961 (a series which included the first tied Test ever), was the Worrell-led West Indies cricket team not motorcaded through the streets of Melbourne, heralded by millions?

It might be worthy to note, though, that when the West Indies beat Australia for the first time in Australia, in 1979-80, the Clive Lloyd-led team, no less gracious, had to more or less tote their own bags to the airport, and almost say farewells to themselves, so few were the Australians, cricketing authorities and otherwise, who were present for our departure. Could it be that everyone always loves a great loser?

There was one poignant moment at the end of the final Test in 1980, with the West Indies winning 2-0 in the three-Test series that will live with me forever. Greg Chappell, the Australian captain, not one to give kudos easily, came to the West Indies dressing room and suggested:

"You guys were simply too good for us. We could not find an answer to your style and abilities. However, we are already tired of being beaten by you, so we will be putting things in place to get back to the top of cricket in eight to ten years."

It should be pointed out further that Greg Chappell and the rest of the Australian hierarchy did not make an empty boast. Despite losing to India very recently, no-one will suggest that there is any other team than Australia that is No. 1 in the world.

Few may have done as much for the Caribbean as Sir Frank achieved in his short tenure as captain of its cricket team. While he must have wanted to win at all times too, it may not have been the be-all and end-all of his plan. Then again, at that time, Caribbean subservience to the late colonial masters was still ripe and rife among the leaders of the Caribbean.

Then, many years later, came Clive Lloyd, a man toughened by losing much while just a player, with a very simple philosophy, as captain; "win, baby, win!" He may have, in a sense, even unconsciously, liked Malcolm X's theory, "by any means necessary."

At least, somewhat contrary to Mr. X's philosophy, Lloyd kept his winning modus operandi mostly within the laws of the cricket game. It is ironic, though, to again note that some of those same laws that Clive Lloyd respected and revered so much were eventually changed because of elements, legal ones mind you, he may have effected, better than any other captain in the history of the game.

While Sir Frank brought respect to the West Indies, Clive Lloyd made the world actually fear West Indies cricket. He simply was shrewd enough to find out an absolutely winning formula; tremendously talented and athletic batsmen, a good, sometimes great wicket-keeper, and a battalion of fast, furious, ruthless bowlers.

(Sir) Viv Richards more or less continued Lloyd's legacy, with maybe one distinct variance. Richards hated losing more than anyone I have ever met. That could well be because he grew up in the toughness of the 70's, when it was every man for himself in the Caribbean.

Richards: Hated losing Photo © Associated Sports Photography

He carried out his tenure with an arrogance and ruthlessness, while himself being classy and reassured, knowing fully well that his team could back up any boast he made. On many occasions, "(Sir) Smokes", Viv himself, carried the team on his shoulders, so very talented was he.

Now comes Carl Hooper. Innovative and aware of his responsibilities, his tenure as captain will be one of the few that is remembered.

I will go so far as to predict that history will eventually tell us that these four guys (the last being Hooper) have in their own way and time, transformed West Indies cricket into their own image, with amazingly successful and parallel reigns. Time, eventually, will tell that I am correct.

"All I want," says Hooper, "is for the team to be competitive. We have been losing much too much, for the talent that we have. I know that we can do much better, and expect better, with everyone pulling their weight accordingly. If one wants to play Test cricket, then one has to grow up and take the responsibility. That goes from the captain to the youngest or least experienced player on the team."

Sir Frank, Lloyd and Sir Viv have done it. After only two Tests as captain, Carl Hooper is being noted, already, as the "elder statesman," despite being only 34-years old. He will, with time, be included in the same sentence as the other three.

Seven of Hooper's team total less Tests appearances between them than Hooper's 82, but his cool, unobtrusive presence (not unlike Clive Lloyd when he was given the job in 1974/5), the respect he already receives from his players, and the way he has taken to the position, like a duck to water, suggests that Hooper will do well with these energetic youngsters.

One, Marlon Samuels, the find of the last Australian tour, openly dotes on his new captain. Says Samuels:

"I try to be as cool as my captain, and better, to bat like him. I met him when I was about 13, when I was asked to join the West Indies in the practise sessions, and since then, our skipper has been my batsman and my cricketing hero. All I want to do is to be able to bat like him. It will come too."

Samuels also has other ambitions too:

"Eventually, I will be like Carl Hooper in another way too. It will be the greatest honour to captain the West Indies cricket team, and I expect, that with time, I will be chosen for the role. I cannot wait. I am confident that will happen."

The others young players are very keen to please, to enjoy every moment of Test cricket, learning as they go, and to be a part of the evolution of the new West Indies cricket team. There is, already, real competition for positions in the team, something missing for about 15 years. Indeed, Shivnarine Chanderpaul may have to hope that one of the front line batsmen falls dead for him to make the team again. That is exactly as it should be.

Hooper: Cool and calm

Hooper's coolness, calmness but effectiveness, giving each player as much responsibility as they can handle, is the exact tonic for these young men straining to find themselves. Most of them have existed without any direction simply because most had no real leaders to follow. Now, one is at hand. All these sheep needed was a good shepherd.

"Look, these guys are very talented, while somewhat raw," says Hooper. "They need all the confidence, consideration and encouragement that we can give to them. My job is to see that they learn, enjoy and to be a part of a revolution in our cricket. We simply have to start winning again regularly, or our cricket will die."

Carl Hooper is exactly what the West Indies cricket team needed, at this exact moment in time, as the captain.

As he puts it: "It is all about being competitive, giving 100% at all times, even without any guarantees of a positive result. Sometimes, the effort is much more rewarding than the result. We want results our way, though. Soon, very soon, we shall get some good ones. I can feel it."

Hooper commands respect without conjuring up any arrogance. He instils confidence without any need to overshadow the youth and their exuberance. He hopes this new commitment may be transmitted to some of the senior players who might still be set in their accustomed ways. Hooper's captaincy will eventually be suggested as a combination of the reincarnation of Sir Frank, Clive Lloyd and Sir Viv.

Eventually, and not too far in the future, he will be at least as successful, both in winning Test matches and especially in moulding men, not to mention a region.

© CricInfo Ltd.