October 21 Monday 2002
Eight-wicket drubbing, series loss 'a shame': Hooper 

CHENNAI, India: West Indies cricket captain Carl Hooper on Sunday lashed out at his team for crashing to an eight-wicket defeat against India in the second Test here. 

"It's a shame that we've come to this level," said Hooper, whose side also lost the three-match series following this defeat. 

The tourists lost the opening Test by an innings and 112 runs at Mumbai. "There are no excuses. We're just not playing good cricket. There was no problem with the pitch because we've played on much more difficult wickets in India," said Hooper. 

The West Indies have yet to win a Test under Hooper's captaincy in the sub-continent, having lost 2-0 to Pakistan at Sharjah and 3-0 in Sri Lanka last year before losing both the Tests against India. 

Hooper blamed his team's batting and fielding for the second successive defeat against the hosts. 

"We dropped at least 12 catches in two Tests and you're always going to struggle after conceding a 150-run lead," said Hooper. 

The West Indies were dismissed for 229 in their second innings after conceding a 149-run lead. 

India scored the required 81 runs for victory for loss the of just two wickets to win the match and series.