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Jimmy's gone. And looks like Sherwin's gone too.

And while there is still no official word on who will be the West Indies cricket captain for the imminent home series against South Africa, speculation is rife that it will be Carl Hooper, who is back in the squad.

With Jimmy Adams gone, it is now certain there will be a new captain, the fifth West Indies skipper in the last six years.

Additionally, there is no Barbadian in a 16-man squad named last night for a training camp in preparation for the opening Test next Friday in Guyana.

The major shocker was the non-inclusion of Adams, skipper for the past 12 months and his deputy, Sherwin Campbell.

On the recent ill-starred tour of Australia, Adams and Campbell were mere imitations of the once reliable batsmen they were and neither averaged 20 runs per innings.

However, in light of their involvement in major matches this weekend, the pair may still be considered for selection in the first Test, but observers say this is unlikely.

In naming the squad for the training camp, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) simply said: "A new West Indies captain will be appointed later this week to lead the regional team in the five-Test series."

It was confirmed yesterday by Owen Estwick, one of Barbados' two WICB directors, that Hooper had been nominated for the post by a majority vote of the four selectors – chairman Mike Findlay, Joey Carew, Joel Garner and team coach Roger Harper.

WICB chief executive Gregory Shillingford said a recommendation was received from the selectors who met in Georgetown Monday night, but he was awaiting responses from the 14 board members.

"I have called people and we have been trying to get in contact with board members by phone and e-mail, but all have not been available," Shillingford was quoted by the Caribbean News Agency as saying.

"The majority of the board members must agree to the recommendation either in writing or verbally but this process will not conclude today [yesterday]."

Of the 16 named for the camp, starting tomorrow in Trinidad, there are six Guyanese and five Jamaicans who will be unable to attend because of their participation in the Busta International Shield final.

That match is also scheduled to begin tomorrow and the WICB stated the selectors would consider the performances in the final as well as a three-day match between South Africa and a Busta XI before determining the final-13 member party for the first Test.

The selectors also named the Busta squad 13 to play South Africa in Guyana Sunday.

Campbell has been recommended as captain.

© The Barbados Nation