Hooper's finger put to the test

Carl Hooper is likely to be included in the West Indies team for tomorrow's fifth Test, provided he is satisfied he can bowl his off-spin without hindrance from the hairline fracture of his right index finger, writes Tony Cozier.

Even though he took three wickets with medium pace in the victory over Gloucestershire on Monday, Hooper - who sustained the injury in the last Test - will only know if he can grip the ball sufficiently to spin it in final practice today. With the pitch expected to turn, he would offer cover in support of the traditional four fast bowlers.

Even if he does play he is unlikely to open the batting, leaving Stuart Williams to partner Sherwin Campbell. Jimmy Adams, his cheekbone fractured while batting against Somerset last week, could be replaced in the middle order by Shivnarine Chanderpaul.