Squad Changes For West Indies, South Africa

The World Cup has not yet started. But controversies already have. The West Indies and the South Africans have been forced to make last-minute changes to their squads. The retirement of Carl Hooper and the conviction for rape of Makhaya Ntini have tossed the respective cricket boards into a tizzy.

Hooper's retirement was a shock not only to the Windies, but to the entire cricketing fraternity. He missed most of the Tests against Australia and then put up a lacklustre performance in the one-dayers. The spark seemed to be missing. Yet, his retirement was stunning.

Makhaya Ntini's case was different...and worse. He was convicted of raping a woman in a toilet. He wept when the judgement was delivered. Dr. Ali Bacher, President of the UCBSA, said they will stand by Ntini legally. However, he was axed. His replacement is young all-rounder Alan Dawson.

Ricardo Powell, a dashing all-rounder from Barbados, was called up for Hooper. He, like his predecessor, bowls offspin, bats right-handed and is a brilliant fielder. Let us see how his inclusion affects the West Indies' chances.