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I have been dismayed at the strength of the opposition in some quarters to Carl Hooper's appointment as captain of the West Indies.

I was particularly shocked at the irrational virulence of Michael Holding's opposition.

I have high admiration not only for Holding's greatness as a cricketer, but also for his intelligence and shrewdness as a student of the game.

He could have expressed his opposition to Hooper as captain in measured terms and his views would have been received with respect.

But for a West Indian cricketing personality of Holding's stature to go off the rails in the way he has, undermines the team he loves, confuses and demotivates the very youngsters he hopes to nurture, divides us when we should be coming together and all in all does great harm to West Indian cricket.

I myself believe that Carl Hooper has given enough proof that he has matured as a man and as a cricketer and well deserved the honour of leading the West Indies. But I understand that his chequered history of leaving the team in the lurch more than once makes an opposite view arguable.

However, what cannot be doubted by anyone Michael Holding himself does not hesitate to admit it is the sheer genius of Hooper's batting at its best.

It must be everyone's hope even Holding's hope as he tries not to watch that in the course of the series against South Africa, Hooper will rise above the huge pressures on him as the new leader and find it possible to display in full flower one of the greatest batting talents the game has ever known.

© The Barbados Nation