Hooper and Dr Trevor MccartneyMADRAS (AP):
WEST INDIES cricket has taken a beating in recent times, but the die-hard fans are keeping faith in the team's ability to reverse the tide.
A small group of supporters travelling with the West Indies team during its tour of India says the first rubber loss against India in 23 years hasn't made them lose faith in their cricketers.
"We're die-hard West Indies cricket fans and it's important to keep faith in the boys. There will obviously be mood swings in proportion to our team's performances, but no defeat can put us off," says Ravi Rambarran, a Trinidadian who lives in Jamaica.
Rambarran, 37, a finance executive with an insurance company in Jamaica, is part of a small group of 25 supporters following Carl Hooper's team during the current tour of India.
India took a winning 2-0 lead Sunday by winning the second test by eight wickets in the southern metropolis of Madras, having earlier won the first test in Bombay by an innings and 112 runs.
"Windies cricket's in the pits, but that doesn't stop us from dreaming about the return of good times," says Trevor McCartney, a surgeon from Kingston.
McCartney, 48, concedes the morale of Windies supporters was "pretty low due to one disastrous performance followed by another."
"Notwithstanding the spate of defeats suffered by the Windies, there's still significant enthusiasm for cricket," he said. "We've seen glorious days and there's no reason we can't turn things around once again.
"What gives hope to fans back home is the rebuilding program that's been put in place. It might take a while, but Windies will be back where they belong."
Rambarran, whose forefathers migrated to Trinidad from India, says it was significant for fans to back Windies in these rough times.
"We owe this to Windies cricket. Our cricket team's given us immense pleasure in the past, so there minor heartaches are overlooked," he said.
Comprising mainly of Jamaicans making their first trip to India, this group of West Indian fans are amazed at cricket's immense following in this part of the world.
"Man, I could never believe this until I saw it," says McCartney. "we've interacted with fans during the Bombay and Madras Tests. The youngsters' knowledge about the game's finer points, it's history and statistics is really impressive."
"Cricket future lies with these fans. They're young and will live longer than all administrators," said Rambarran.
Attracted by a West Indies cap that he wears, McCartney has been chatted up by strangers in streets.
"People have regularly began a conversation at the grounds, on the streets and in restaurants. They all wanted to discuss cricket," he said.
"I've been repeatedly asked if Brian Lara can ever match Sachin Tendulkar's feats," said McCartney, who has followed the West Indies team around England, South Africa and Australia in the past.
"You've won this series, fine. But we'll get our revenge soon."
