Cricket: Hooper conducts the mayhem

Cricket

Hampshire 192 West Indies 696-6

Carl Hooper and Sherwin Campbell each scored centuries as the West Indies massacred a feeble Hampshire attack in the sunshine at Southampton yesterday. Hooper, who missed the last Test through injury, made 195 and Campbell hit 172 as the West Indies amassed a colossal 696 for 6.

The West Indies captain, Richie Richardson, was also among the runs with 83, the wicketkeeper Courtney Browne was unbeaten with 74, while Keith Arthurton scored 59.

West Indies began the second day at 135 for 1 in reply to the Hampshire first-innings total of 192 but that was soon a distant memory as the tourists' batsmen gorged themselves on a perfect batting strip and a fast outfield.

Campbell recorded his best score on the tour with a six and 30 fours, but it was Hooper who dominated the day's play. He hit 10 sixes - including one which passed through the bedroom window of a house in adjoining Northlands Road - and 20 fours. He was out attempting his 11th six, caught at the wicket by Adrian Aymes off a skier.

Richardson overcame a slow start to hit four of the 15 sixes struck during the day's play before he was spectacularly held on the boundary by his compatriot, Cardigan Connor.

Four Hampshire bowlers conceded more than 100 runs, with only Martin Thursfield coming out with some pride intact with figures of 3 for 108. The West Indies' total was the highest by any team in first-class cricket this summer, and they need only another 46 to compile the highest total made against Hampshire.