West Indies allrounder Carl Hooper has retained the captaincy of the West Indies team following the South African tour which ended with South Africa edging the West Indies team 2-1 in the five test series and also winning the One day series 5-2.

Hooper was the unanimous choice of the West Indies selectors and his name together with the 22 players for the camp have been sent to the West Indies Cricket Board for their ratification and final announcement, early next week.

"Hooper was the only choice, as there is a definite opinion, that he is the only choice, given the fact that there was a lot of improvement in a number of areas of the team, and the fact is that the team was more competitive under him, than any one leader in the recent past," a close source at the West Indies Cricket Board told the Sunday Express.

"We have to remember as well, that Hooper was able to command the respect of the players both the old and younger players and there was a lot of honesty in his actions and he was always determined to fight to the finish, this team did not fall apart once in two or three days as in the past,"he added.

"Hooper is now seen as the man to lead the team in the future, and also the fact that he has been able to stand up to the pressure of the public when the team was losing and generally keep his cool,"he added.

This Newspaper understands that what has made everyone very convinced about Hooper's role as captain, is when he refused to shirk his responsibility during the one dayer in Antigua," Everyone knows that Kerry Jeremy was injured in the morning before practice and at the last moment, said he might not be able to play, so Hooper and the management had to make several calls to the selectors to get the matter sorted out, There were a lot of little things gone wrong and Hooper ended up late for the toss , but he refused to throw the blame on anyone , instead he absorbed it all himself."

"This West Indies team has a sense of a team about it under him, now when they lose, you can actually see the hurt in the players face and also they now get fines for poor shot selection, although there is talk this will not be a permanent fixture, but used on a tour by tour basis depending on the necessity,"he added.

"However there is always concern when the annoucement takes some time particuarly after the first time when there was opposition in some quarters to Hooper's appointment, but there is the belief that Ridley Jacobs still has a lot of learning to do and that Hooper has looked good in the role and generally his batting has not failed him (he averaged 39.97 in test series).

This newspaper also learnt that one of the reasons for the delay in the announcement was that several senior Members of the WICB are touring the region meeting with regional cricketing bodies to discuss their strategy planning for the next five years.

At the moment, President of the WICB, Pat Rousseau, Vice President Clarvis Joseph and Chief Executive Officer Gregory Shillingford are in Trinidad and Tobago along with Teddy Griffith who formulated this strategy plan.

"It is all part of an effort to convince the regional bodies of the way ahead for West Indies cricket in all aspect, it is about 40 to 45 pages," said Chetram Singh, President of the Guyana Cricket Board, who will host the WICB committee on Sunday (May 20) in Guyana, as they leave Trinidad on Saturday Night.

Singh says he has received no word on the captaincy as yet however," I know they will be returning to Antigua on Monday, so most likely by Monday we will all be contacted and asked to ratify the captain that has been nominated by the West Indies selectors."

When the captain is named, he along with the selectors will name the 15 member squad for the tour of Zimbabwe.

But there are concerns over the fitness of several of the West Indies players," There are some players that are on the minds of the selectors, but injury is the problem, Marlon Black, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Reon King are in particular of concern for the officials."

This newspaper understands that the WICB have arranged a final check up for Sarwan at their medical doctors offices in Jamaica and Sarwan will be visiting there this week, before any final decision is made on his participation.

Marlon Black is currently in England playing with Heighten Cricket Club in Liverpool, in the English Premier league (one division below the elite County League). 25 year old Black has captured 6 wickets in two matches to date and told the Sunday Express from his Liverpool base," I am ready to comeback to West Indies cricket, I am fit now, the doctor has given me a clean bill of health and I am feeling no pain. I know I can contribute to West Indies cricket,"

"Also there is no problem with my contract, as I have a clause in there which would release me should I be selected for the West Indies team,"Black added.

Four times Olympic Medallist Ato Boldon has to thank his mother for many of his accomplishment in life, not least the fact that he can adjust so easily to different lifestyles in varying circumstances.

Hope Boldon, Ato's mother was born in Jamaica, and has always kept her heritage at all times, "When I left Trinidad and I came to the United States with my two sons (Ato and Okera), we spent the initial years with my Jamaican Father, so both of my sons learned to live with that culture, as well as their Trinidad and Tobago background,"Hope Boldon told the Sunday Express from her Atlanta home.

"This has made Ato very strong and able to deal with so many different things that happen in his life, he is close to God and he allows his faith and family love to keep him with his feet on the ground,"

"As many people may not know, Ato really had three choices to run for the United Sates and also Jamaica but he chose Trinidad and Tobago, "Hope Boldon stated.

"He loves Trinidad and Tobago to death, he just loves to wear his national colours and is always quick to defend Trinidad and Tobago and make no mistake, he states his nationality with pride."

Hope Boldon has spent her years in Atlanta giving back to the Caribbean what she has learnt, never forgetting her Caribbean heritage. She is a founder of the Atlanta Caribbean theatre society and is also a Foundation Member of the Atlanta Foundation for Caribbean Students gaining scholarships to several leading universities. "This is the kind of work that gives you joy and peace, to see people from the region get the opportunity to excel in all areas, we are a very talented bunch of people in the Caribbean, and the more the world sees of us, they will realize,"

"As a parent, you can only ask that your children understand that they have a role in the world and remember the words George Bernard Shaw -the true joy in life is being part of something larger than yourself-", she noted.

"All you want is for your children to have continued a legacy in the world and realize that their contribution is like a rent for their life on earth and they must seek to loving happiness and fulfillment in all they do. My two sons have given me that Hope Boldon admits from early that she felt Ato would be successful but never she expected in Sports," I never sent Ato to track and field Club, I never saw him in athletics, but I am very very proud of his performances."

"I always thought that Ato is brilliant and an intellect and now that he has stepped out and explored various potential, I am glad he is heading in the right direction."

"From an early age, I knew he would be something special and as the days roll on, I thank God for my children every day, their love gives me inner strength and a force to continue contributing,"remarked Hope Boldon.

"Okera will try maybe ten different things before he finds the one that he will settle in, he is still young enough, but as a parent you have to give your children space to grow and learn,"noted the proud mom.

Hope Boldon is wishing for "the proper balance for both Ato and Okera, where they find happiness with a wife and personal peace, instead having to worry about other things or people thinking they have become a pain in the behind. It is this that makes me happy about being a mother, seeing the results unfold in front of your eyes."

"I wish all mothers happiness wherever they are with their children, without our children's love, we would not all know how special being a mother is,"she concluded.

Last year, the Sunday Express reportedly exclusively that West Indies test batsman Brian Lara had given his mother Pearl Lara the perfect Mother's Day gift of a trip to Melbourne, Florida for an extensive health check-up under Doctor Ormond Mendez.

Exactly one year later, at the time of this interview, Pearl Lara continues to battle with her health concerns. She suffers with cervical spondylosis(occurs when the neck bone is pressing against the nerve which can paralyze the arm) and also battles diabetes, and has lost the use of her left arm for over 1 1/2 years,there is no sign of improvement locally as well.

Today, though Pearl Lara is recovering from a broken arm which occurred almost two 1/2 months ago and she has had to keep her hand in a sling during this time.

"The problem is that I broke my right hand, which was my only good hand, as I cannot use my left arm for a long time now, it is very hard for me, as I cannot even dress myself, but thankfully I have my children to help me," Pearl Lara told the Sunday Express from her Santa Cruz home. "They have all come together and ensure that I am able to get things done during the day and get on with my life, I thank the lord for all of them."

"It seems to me, as if I have to live with this pain and sometimes it gets worse. I have seen so many doctors in Trinidad .......... I am just tired," 66 years old Pearl Lara admits "all of my children are working now and it is not easy for any of them to take time off to take me to the United States.....I really cannot travel alone. I understand that and I am coping as bet as I can then,"she stated.

"When I broke my arm, Brian was very concerned he was in Australia, but he always calls me nearly every night, he is a loving son, just like all my children, who all pitch in to help, when he is away from Trinidad, I miss him, but I know he is doing something he loves very much."

"It is now over 12 years (April 16th) since his father died, and he and all my children have progressed in that time, it has not been easy, but I have managed to keep the family together" she added.

As any concern mother Pearl Lara had one main wish for her son Brian, the Double World Record Holder, "Brian is a tired soul, he gives his whole heart and soul to cricket, but our cricketers much be tired because they have been playing non-stop cricket for a long time."

"When Brian bats and he does not make many runs, he becomes very disappointed, he wants to do very well always for the West Indies team.

"If you look at the television when he gets out, he is always talking to himself and mumbling to himself, he is upset to be dismissed, he knows how much the team is depending on him."

"Sometimes there always is a lot of pressure on him, but he has learnt that so much is expected of him, that when he does not do well, he feels it, he is very competitive."

Pearl Lara believes though that Brian's problems with his eyes need to be addressed. "Certainly his eyes give him some problems, especially from the glare from the sun and it is a distraction. The eye is so very important."

"But I know that he will make the necessary arrangements soon to have this situation corrected with his eyes."

She is however calling ". .....for all the support the team can get from the public, because these boys are all representing us in the West Indies, We need to stay loyal to the team, it is a difficult time, but we must keep the faith"

"I just hope that our players can get a rest and get time to spend with family and friends. Al this cricket is not always good, people need to have time to relax."

As for Mother's Day, she said, "I am looking forward to Mother's Day, all my children who can be here will be here, Brian for a while I think as well and I wish all Mothers around the Country and in the World all Gods blessing," she concluded.

Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya has backed claims by a former teammate that Australian bowler Glenn McGrath called Jayasuriya a "black monkey" during a one-day match five years ago.

Roshan Mahanama made the claim during the week when he launched his autobiography in Australia.

McGrath denied the accusation and said he was considering legal action against Mahanama.

The Australian Cricket Board said it would not take any action and umpire Peter Parker said he did not hear the alleged comments. Mahanama, in his book Retired Hurt, said McGrath racially vilified Jayasuriya in a limited-overs final at the SCG in 1996.

It is believed the Sri Lankan Cricket Board has gagged Jayasuriya from speaking to the media because of the threatened legal action. But Jayasuriya has backed his former teammate, according to a close friend who spoke to The Sun-Herald on the condition of anonymity.

The source said Jayasuriya's reaction was: "How can Glenn say he never said it? I am not trying to start another controversy here.

"I am just standing by what Roshan has mentioned in the book. It is true. But I am not holding any grudge against Glenn. It is in the past."

Mahanama, who will publicise his book in Sydney on Friday, also has full support from other former teammates, including captain Arjuna Ranatunga and vice-captain Aravinda de Silva.

After receiving some contentious decisions and conceding the second final and the series on a faster run rate to Australia in the rain-affected encounter at the SCG on January 20, 1996, the Sri Lankan players refused to shake hands with the Australians. According to a source close to the team, the snub was prompted by McGrath's alleged taunting of Jayasuriya. McGrath has been disciplined several times for breaches of the International Cricket Council code of conduct.

In March this year, after a one-day loss to India in Bangalore, he was fined for abusive language when given out lbw to a ball he believed was going down leg-side.

In December 1998 he received a suspended fine for a verbal outburst against Englishman Alan Mullaly in a Melbourne Test match.

In April 1999 a suspended fine was imposed after he spat on the wicket in the direction of a West Indian player in a Antigua Test, and was found to have engaged in unbecoming conduct.

A South African publishing house has sent me a copy of a new paperback book it has just brought out on cricket.

With it came a note that said: "We take pleasure in presenting you with this review copy and ask that you please send two copies of your views to our offices."

I seldom, in fact, I have never reviewed a book in my column. The Weekend Independent paper, for which I write has a section that takes care of that. But in this case, I am going to make an exception.

The book is called "If at first ....." with a subtitle that says,"With the exclusive inside story of the South African victory over the West Indies in 2001,"

The authors are Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Allan Donald and Daryl Cullinan. Actually, they didn't write it -- some professional ghostwriter did. But the words and the story originated from them. I will begin my review by saying that this is a very solid book.

The moment I opened the package and saw what it was about, I threw it against my office wall as hard as I could.

Then I slammed it to the floor and jumped up and down on it. I beat on it with a chair for several minutes until I slumped onto my couch, emotionally and physically drained. Although slightly scuffed, the book was still intact.

It is also a book that can cause excitement. I dropped it on the desk of a friend who has had a Queens Park Cricket Pass for the last ten years and it stirred him to emotional heights and he shouted:

"Why are you giving me this (deleted) book, with the writings of (deleted) Pollock, Donald and Kirsten, who really cares about the (deleted) South Africans and (deleted) South Africans, the whole (deleted) members of the West Indies Cricket Board that continue to allow this (deleted) rubbish to happen. And (deleted) you too."

Then he flung it against a wall and gave it a kick, and it still was intact, I told you it was a solid book.

It's a book that can move a sensitive reader to tears, as I noticed when I passed the book onto a old lady who adores West Indies cricket and has been travelling to matches since the 1950's, but who since 1995 has been seeing only darkness in West Indian cricket

When she looked at the cover, she choked back a sob, a tear trickled down her cheek and she said: "Why them? Why not us? What was our sin? How can we atone for it? You know I asked the pundit about this, and he said he wished he knew the answer to, because he loss $100 betting against them."

And it is a powerful book as reviewers like to say, it can hit you right in the gut, as I experienced when I showed it to a former West Indies player who said," Excuse me, while I throw up."

It is also a book, that can make you see red, as happened when a friend of mine saw Brian Lara's name in the Index, and stated -- Hey what the hell, why are they making fun of Brian, putting him the section that looks like L----R.

At the same time, it was also useful as a paperweight , almost like the some of lightweight West Indies players.Not the captain however Carl Hooper who seems to have more mettle than all of them combined.

There is though one part of this -solid- book that I liked a little, it was the beginning, no it was the middle, rather it was the end. In the beginning it was about cricket, in the middle it was about batting and in the end it was all connected to winning, and I thought if only the West Indies could appreciate these three things -cricket, batting and winning- how better life would be as a West Indian.

But enough of generalities, let us consider the contents of the book.

On page five of the book, Donald or Kirsten or Pollock or a ghostwriter says," We had the West Indians covered early, those guys like a party, and they made it easy on us, from that victory onwards we have not looked back...boo hoo who to the Bajan protagonists."

From then on, thins got confusing: listen to page 45," It as lear, that e wont the best of the est dies and even thou the ager was rong, the Paki and Wes ies,"

And on Page 105 we find," South Afr ave the team, that an will witne the end of cricket, as it should be in ne ay play,"

I know it sounds kind of garbled, incomprehensible. But that's the way a story reads when you rip the pages off a book in half, one by one. As I have been doing.

Don't misunderstand me. I am not doing that out of spite, I am a good sport, a cheerful loser. Why in the last two years, I don't think I have watched, the West Indies team under Clive Lloyd beating up on Australia, more than 25 or thirty times.

The fact is I have found this to be a useful book.

I have been tearing out the pages and crumpling them into little wads.

When I have about 30 or 50 of these wads, I will invite some friends for a barbecue, and put them in the starter. They are excellent for getting a fire started.

Then later when everyone is gone, I pour myself a drink, lower the lights, stare at the still burning fire, as I add more wads of this -- solid book-.

And I pretend that I am looking at the West Indies winning something for the loving Caribbean public.

It is not easy knowing that, there seems to be no changes in the pipeline for West Indies cricket, other than the debate over a possible new coach for the West Indies team given the performance of Roger Harper to date.

Partially the poor framing of races over the last two Saturdays can explain this, but in the main it may be that there is now a sense of distrust among those in horseracing over the future of the sport.

There are a number of unresolved issues, not least the status of the controversial National Racing Commission (NRC) , also there are still questions over the formation of a new Betting Levy Board (BLB) and ultimately any delay in both of these racing committees will have an adverse effect on racing.

Whatever the Arima Race Club may perceive, the relinquishing of power by Derek Chin and Pierpont Scott will no doubt lead to an erosion of power for the Arima Race Club which will in the longrun possibility destroy their foundation.

In the meantime though it seems that a young jockey who spoke on the ills of racing not only here in Trinidad and Tobago, but also in Jamaica has come under pressure from his peers and this is disheartening, not so much the fact that he is being ostracized, but rather the fact that the many honest, hardworking trainers/owners not standing up for him.

This may suggest that it is wrong to believe that the honest, integrity filled personnel in horseracing far outnumber the dishonest, gambling mad people that circulate around racing every day.

There is strong evidence from one of Trinidad and Tobago's jockey that there is indeed an underworld of betting existing in the racing industry in this country.

There are several people in Trinidad and Tobago who question the results of racing on a weekly basis when a major outsider comes and wins a race at odds of 50-1. There are also times when the favourite does not run his normal racing, yet still the racing authorities seem to lie idly by.

A young Trinidad and Tobago jockey who rides mostly in Jamaica was quoted as saying in the Independent recently,"That there have been instances in the past, when before they used to come to him, but since he came back to ride in Trinidad for a while, they have never asked,"

"But it has to be stated that there are also a lot of honest and decent people in racing as well,"he noted.

He also spoke of the various devices used to encourage a horse's performance and the lack of procedures to detect these devices in Trinidad and Tobago,"But also some jockeys ride with illegal things like "shockers" and "batteries", and if the authorities find it you could be banned for life,"he added.

He explained that the detection methods in Trinidad and Tobago are not as advanced as in Jamaica,"In this country there are no checks at the starting gates, but in Jamaica, there are individuals with metal detectors at the gates and if they find you out, you have to pay dearly for that."

"It is a device which can give a shock to the horse and make him speed up his running, in Jamaica if they find you, and they have found jockeys there, they will make them pay one time at the gates,"

But he admitted, that there were ways to hide the device, "in your boots or other locations after the race, or just throw it off at a particular part of the track."

The young talented jockey further added, there are times when other methods are used,"like making the horse break bad...holding up the saddle ...pretending somebody is coming up from behind so you had to move.Then you just fall back and let another horse win..but hmmn"

A lot of the reason for these occurrences in local racing are according to the jockeys because of the low standard of payment and wages still being earned by the jockeys which cause them to look for other ways to earn their living,"They do not pay.the money is no good..Well sometimes if you win the jockey gets a percentage ...like if it $3000 or $4000 to win the jockey get $300 or $400 ..sometimes they feel it even hard to give you your 75$ you have to wait months to get that ...Well win loss or draw a jockey gets 75$...in Jamaica you get if you come in the first six a percentage..Trinidad you have to win to get a percentage

"You only get a percentage on the winner on the second and third place you get something like $40. Before they use to give you a bag of rice..some even go down to $10....."

"In Jamaica, it is 10% right across, well that is Wednesdays and Saturdays.,..so if I place in 10 races I could make 1000$US, while in Trinidad ,Well if you win they take back out the 75$ and then give it to you in a check..so if you win 100$ they take out 75 and you get 25$ and they give you that in a cheque..that does not make sense. Sometimes you get $3 on a cheque in Trinidad,"

"Overall there are a lot of areas that could be improved, such as the ambulances following the races, which would help the industry go a long way,"he noted.

Certainly the powers that be need to positively examine his claims which if everyone is honest, was always known, what we have to examine is ways and means to rectify this situation as quickly as possible.

Instead of there being recriminations, or witchhunt, we must seek to protect those who have been willing to speak on a situation not for fame or glory, but instead to solve this problem as much as possible.

There is no better way to dissuade people from the sport of kings than to convince them that racing is corrupt that a lot of the practices of the trainers and the jockeys are not fair. If a punter cannot use the form to his or her advantage, then racing will continue to die quickly.

If the Arima Race Club cannot solve this, and the National Racing Commission, then they will be welcomed -with arms and eyes wide open - by all concerned.

It is time to stop talking and put action into words and also at the same time examine the payments structure for jockeys and apprentices, because if someone is not paid a proper basic wage, then they will look for other means to earn income. This has to be avoided at all costs.

We must place ourselves in the shoes of these people and honestly state if we would like to live on such paltry sums.

Interviewer: Brian, so long as the team plays well, then you will remain a player, unfortunately soon you will have to make some tough decisions with some friends on the team.

Brian Lara: Yes, I know that Shiv is in trouble, because of his inconsistency, but I have been talking to him about how I cannot protect his back anymore.

Interviewer: What is it, that makes Alan Donald such a dangerous bowler?

Brian Lara: He never gives up, but maybe he takes it too personal and certainly there was no need to spit at our players and use strange language, but he will get his justice in time

Interviewer: You were seen looking to the heavens in a lot of your batting, is there some turnaround in your faith?

Brian Lara: I have always been a religious person, but when everyone is against you, there is always God at your side, and with prayers even the worse situation can turn good.

Interviewer: Is it true that you are thinking of settling down soon?

Brian Lara: I have always been thinking of that, but as you get older, one appreciates the need to have a family more.

Interviewer: The International press have said a lot of poor things about you and your demeanour, will you please respond?

Brian Lara: Do I have to ?, because apart from the other idiots in some of these countries like England and Australia, nobody respects the Aussie press, because they are always looking for comess, do they have names other than dumb, uninformed and overexposed to describe themselves.

Interviewer: Would you like to be vice-captain?

Brian Lara: Yes and No, Yes if the captaincy is to come right after and No because I don't think I am ready for that as yet.

Interviewer: Can the West Indies win the Next World Cup?

Brian Lara: Well first of all, we will have to try to win the one day series over the next year and a half , but we have the nucleus of a team than can reach far in the World Cup, our batting still is our weakness, that is why I insisted that Sherwin Campbell be selected, because he will be the constant hopefully.

Interviewer: What do you really think about Clive Lloyd and Malcolm Marshall?

Brian Lara: No comment.

Interviewer: What about Pat Rousseau and the West Indies Cricket Board?

Brian Lara: What about them?, Do you have a question? Recently we have said a few words to each other, and the relationship can only go upwards from where it started.

Interviewer: When your career in cricket is over, what will you do?

Brian Lara: I will play golf for Trinidad and Tobago and also write a book, sail the world, own the winner of the Trinidad Derby and eventually become President of West Indies cricket for life.

Interviewer: I know that the bell has rung at the nearest watering hole, but could you say in a few words whether you believe that Shane Warne should retire from test cricket and if Hendy Bryan is an American living in Barbados?

Brian Lara: Warne should play much more at least until the next West Indies visit for everyone likes him now, as to Hendy , leave the man accent alone, I know he has spent his holidays in the United States, and don't forget Bajans watch a lot of American cable.

Interviewer: Why are you so hard to interview? Is it your character or are you always so arrogant and outrageous?

Brian Lara: This was an interview?

Almost everyone dreams of listening to Brian Lara truly express his feelings on the West Indies team and on the criticisms he has received in the past and still today. Although given the rubbish that is constantly written on Lara's spoken word, that it may be easier to write a book on poetry than to interview the now celebrated Lara. wE will however attempt the --REAL INTERVIEW THAT NEVER WAS --. Of course a lot of this may be only the writer's imagination.

Interviewer: So you have done better than most expected in the South African series (400 runs), do you feel pleased with your performances or were you expecting much more?

Brian Lara: I don't know about that, I am and always was the best batsman in the world, despite what those ratings from accountants stated. Who do you believe would people pay more to see Me or Steve Waugh or Tendulkar?

Interviewer: If you ask me, none of you, but instead Lucy Lawless in a catfight with Sharon Stone

Brian Lara: South Africa is not as tough as people make them out to be, they are on their way down now, and in a few years will be at the bottom of the rack, then we will see how tough their errant commentators speak.

Interviewer: What was the highlight of the series for you?

Brian Lara: Watching the South Africans squirkm with concern when I was on the go in the fourth test.

Interviewer: About the collapse in your home country, in front of your home crowd, is there any way to prevent this similar situation in the future

Brian Lara: Yes, we need to have more belief in our batting and some better umpiring as well, with proper use of the third umpire. But I would not expect to read this in our tame local media, who only look to degrade the players

Interviewer: This is not about reporters, is it? Brian Lara: No, I am just digressing, because look how Tony begged me for an interview and how Michael and Colin are now treating me like their best friends. Oh, how fickle we are in the Caribbean

Interviewer: What is the problem with Nixon Mclean , he has so much promise?

Brian Lara: Promise, Yes: Discipline, No: Attitude. Yes, ....but we are still hopeful that we can turn things around with him, and hopefully he will not have to lose his passport again and be left stranded anywhere.

Interviewer: The return of form has been accredited to your realization that the captaincy is lost for good now that Carl Hooper is doing a better than good job . Can you counter this?

Brian Lara: The fact is that, I have been practising a lot more, and paying more attention to getting my stronger eye in, while the bowlers are on top and ....

Interviewer: Brian, Brian.....the people really want the truth, not what sounds good, if you please

Brian Lara: Okay, they really put pressure on me, I believe the captaincy was mine for good at one time , but don't tell them this, but I had some sleepless nights, alone that is of course. Do you think they should have dropped me? So I gave it up in all the best interests of everyone.

Read more tomorrow in Part 2

South Africa team manager Goolam Raja was tipped off that some of his players had smoked marijuana during the tour of the West Indies, United Cricket Board managing director Gerald Majola said on Sunday.

Five players -- Herschelle Gibbs, Paul Adams, Justin Kemp, Roger Telemachus and Andre Nel -- plus physiotherapist Craig Smith were fined by the UCB after they confessed to Raja.

They told him they had used the drug in the privacy of a single room at the team hotel after the series-clinching fourth test in Antigua on April 10.

"Goolam has a background in pharmacy and he could see their eyes were a bit glazed when he saw them later that night," said Majola.

"The following morning he called a team meeting and said that he had reason to believe that some players had smoked some dagga (marijuana). All six went to him after the meeting and confessed straight away.

Hotel manager Ted Isaac said no member of his staff or other guest had lodged any complaint, officially or unofficially, leading to media speculation in South Africa that one of the squad may have tipped off Raja.

"Goolam telephoned me in South Africa that morning and we discussed the right way to handle it," said Majola.

"It was agreed that the tour misconduct committee would meet and handle the position until I arrived for my scheduled visit during the fifth test in Jamaica.

The committee comprises Raja, coaches Graham Ford and Corrie van Zyl, captain Shaun Pollock and vice-captain Mark Boucher.

Majola added: "Once I arrived I was going to read Goolam's report, compile my own report after speaking to those concerned and then submit both reports to the executive committee who would then decide whether further action was appropriate and whether the matter would remain in-house or be made public."

The internal committee suggested a fine of 10,000 rand ($1,255) which was ratified by Majola and UCB president Percy Sonn, though "Percy thought it was a bit lenient", Majola said.

Majola's arrival in the West Indies was delayed by his attendance at the memorial service for the victims of the Ellis Park soccer tragedy.

But the planned course of events changed dramatically when UCB communications manager Bronwyn Wilkinson was informed that a South African national Sunday newspaper planned to run a story on the marijuana incident that contained factual errors.

"They were going to write that three coloured players were caught smoking dagga and were going to be sent home in disgrace until the sports minister, Ncgonde Balfour, intervened. That is just not true," Majola said.

"We were forced to make public everything we knew because someone told the newspaper a part of the story with a lot of exaggeration and some things that were just plain wrong."

Majola indicated his personal preference was for closure on the matter.

"I hope nobody would condone what they did but they have been caught, sentenced and punished," Majola said. "They owned up, took responsibility for their actions and apologised.

"Personally I think the fine is pretty substantial. It's a lot to pay for a puff.

"What they did was silly and a consequence of the celebrations after winning a hard test series. I believe they have paid for their mistake."

Even as the West Indies team does battle with South Africa in an exciting one day series, there are rumours that all is not well in the South African camp over the treatment to certain players considered to be non white. However South African team manager Goolam Raja has denied that there are racial problems among the players which could have explained the team's poor performances in the last test match in Jamaica and also the first onedayer in Jamaica. The dropping of explosive fast bowler Makhaya Ntini for the last two test matches and also the absence of Paul Adams until the last test are among some of the claims.

This Newspaper learnt that Ntini unlike the normal procedure on a tour does not share his hotel room with any other player and is considered to be difficult and has a lot of runnings with several of the senior players in the past.

Also it was learned that the two other "non white" players on the team, opening batsman Herscelle Gibbs and Paul Adams share a room.

Questioned on whether Makhaya Ntini has a hotel room to himself and that Paul Adams and Herschelle Gibbs share a room,"Yes, that's right," Raja confirmed.

But Raja denied in the South African press that there was any racial divide"So the racial divide in the team is still present, then?" "No! Not at all," replied an indignant Raja. "I don't believe you should force people to room with each other. People with similar lifestyles and similar habits should share a room."

That's why Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher share a room," he added.

Some people have stated in defence of the South African system that this has been a practice that has been going on since the Hansie Cronje era and it is hard to stop after years of apartheid.

However this newspapers was able to ascertain that among the reasons given by some for this behaviour was Ntini's temperament.

"Everyone on tour is aware that 'Makkie' is virtually impossible to room with. Even if his best mate on previous tours, Nantie Hayward, has been forced to seek alternative room mates in his desperation to escape the many, infamous habits of Makkie which include watching television at 3:00 a.m., snoring loudly and singing along to his walkman," wrote South African journalist Neil Manthorp in the South African News trying to defend the situation and to deflect all talk of racism in the team

South Africa have since during the one day series sought to correct some of this image, but there are a lot of people that feel it is coming to late with Justin Ontong sharing with Boeta Dippenaar (non -white) and Herschelle Gibbs now sharing with Jonty Rhodes for the one-day series.

There have been a number of incidents during the series with a lot of verbal slurs been thrown at the West Indies batsman particularly young Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds and Marlon Samuels, by the veteran players Alan Donald, Lance Kluesener and in particular Jacques Kallis which have angered many West Indians. South African Captain Shaun Pollock has been noticeable absent in trying to correct these situations when they arise.

Goolam Raja was also stern in regards to his "non white" status on the team saying in the South African press, "I am very aware of who I am but I do not see myself as a 'non-white' in my role with the team. Like every player who plays for South Africa, I have been selected on merit because of my ability and I will be judged on performance and results."

However Sources close to the South African team have revealed that there was a lot of dissatisfaction over the performance in the fifth and final test match in Jamaica where the West Indies won.

"The South Africans were very annoyed how the match went and particularly how they batted in their first innings and a lot of fingers were pointed at certain players who it was felt were not pulling their weight and this led to a lot of arguments which could have affected the result of the first one dayer a few days later,"

"Apparently in the heat of the argument a lot was said and some racial slurs were thrown especially as it was felt that Lance Klusener and aggressive allrounder was not pulling his weight and still being selected and Ntini a known wicket taker was left out,"he added. "But the real bust up game on the 4th day when Herseclle Gibbs three away his wicket to Hooper and he was given a mouthful that afternoon, there was a lot of tension in the team,"he noted.

He added that Gibbs went out in the second onedayer with a point to prove and he did just that so maybe there might be a return to the South Africa of old.