Hooper fulfills childhood dream at Bourda

Carl Hooper was thrilled on Thursday after achieving what he had dreamed of since he was a kid -- a century in his hometown.

The 35-year-old West Indian captain hammered an unbeaten 108 to help his team, who were struggling at 44 for three when he walked in, score 270 for four by the end of the opening day's play in the first of five Tests against India.

"I've waited 15 years for this moment," Hooper told reporters. "And it's finally come."

It was Hooper's 11th Test century and could not have come at a better time for the West Indies, seeking to bounce back from five straight test losses with a win at the Bourda cricket ground.

"I've been desperate to make a 100 before my home crowd for so long that when the moment finally arrives you can allow to let yourself go," said Hooper, who jumped up and punched the air on reaching the landmark by cutting leg-spinner Anil Kumble to the third man fence.

"We were in a spot of bother at 44 for three and it was important for someone to come through," he said.

Hooper shared in a 113-run stand with fellow-Guyanan Ramnaresh Sarwan, who scored 53, and an unbeaten 113 for the fifth wicket with another Guyana team mate, Shivnarine Chanderpaul (57 not out).

"It's very important to get partnerships going. The first one was especially a big one for the team. Shivnarine and I have put together a little over a hundred now and we must try and make the partnership grow."

TARGET 500

Hooper said now he was looking forward to getting his team to a huge total.

"We would like to say we'll get 500 runs. The Indians will fight back and we have to be prepared for that. We'll have to battle it out in the first session tomorrow."

But with Hooper at the top of his form, things are looking ominous for India, who have a disastrous away record with their last Test series victory outside South Asia coming in England over 16 years ago.

Leg-break bowler Kumble, India's most successful current bowler with 316 Test wickets, was punished in his second and third spells.

Sarandeep Singh, flown in on Tuesday to replace the injured Harbhajan Singh for the first Test, was introduced into the attack only in the 45th over.

"Kumble could have bowled a little better than he did and the other off-spinner, Sarandeep, did not turn the ball much. Maybe that's why we got away," Hooper said.

Only Javagal Srinath, who grabbed all three early wickets including Brian Lara for the 10th duck of his career, looked to threaten the batsmen.

"The wicket at Bourda has always been good to bat on," Hooper said.

"It was like that today as well. Srinath really set them up with the three wickets.

"We have been in a situation like this so many times in the past and have just capitulated. But today we fought tooth and nail, dug in and went all the way. Maybe it's just our time."

Mail Cricket Editor