Powell: Hoping for another chance

These views have been reiterated during this home series and Hooper has consistently asked for understanding and patience in what he called the rebuilding process.

This message appears to have been accepted and the expectations of the West Indian public are now such that most, not just the aficionados, recognise the limitations of the current side.

This has in fact been a major accomplishment.

More emphasis is being placed on development and team building and Hooper has gained some breathing space in terms of delivering results, particularly since his tactical skills have been acknowledged, while the team demonstrated no little ability, albeit sporadically.

It is clear that he and the selectors have identified a core of players to work with in the immediate future and are prepared to give them a reasonable run.

It is as evident that there is some uncertainty regarding others.

Hence the changes made towards the end of the Test series and throughout the one-day series as defeat became a recurring reality.

Outplayed on 8 of the 25 Test match days, some 32%, in the one-days it was by a whopping 71.4%. These are telling statistics.

Ganga: Opening candidate

After the fifth one-day, the captain remarked that all the players in the region had been canvassed for selection and the choices were clear.

That is not the overall feeling, for while one can expect to see more of the gifted Marlon Samuels and� Ramneresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Mervyn Dillon and Cameron Cuffy, along with the established Brian Lara, Shiv Chanderpaul, Ridley Jacobs and the captain, the burning question is who joins them on the tour to Zimbabwe?

There the Windies will compete in a triangular one-day contest - with their hosts and India - and play two tests.

Daren Ganga, Leon Garrick, Wavell Hinds and possibly Sherwin Campbell, if recovered from an injured shoulder, will be competing for consideration as openers.

Players with unfulfilled talent like Ricardo Powell will be hoping for another chance as will a young wicketkeeper to understudy vice-captain Jacobs.

Corey Collymore, who looked promising in the last two one-day games, could make a more permanent return along with a spinner.

It is not likely that additions will come from any of the twenty-four youngsters at the Shell Cricket Academy opened in Grenada two days ago.

Collymore: Impressed in the one-day games

However, at least two of the eight fast bowlers at the clinic now being held in Antigua led Andy Roberts could well be.

Reon King and Colin Stuart, once fit and back in form, must be strong contenders as would be a fit Marlon Black.

The squad will go into camp for two weeks in Trinidad & Tobago, prior to the tour to Zimbabwe starting in June.

Besides the expected technical reviews, fielding will be a high priority as will fitness, stamina and mental application to try to achieve consistency.

Last year, the West Indies had close wins in the two Tests against Zimbabwe in the Caribbean.

The Africans are likely to be tougher at home and the West Indies will need to take care to avoid embarrassment at the hands of a lower ranked team.