Richards and Hooper Have Expressed Their Dissatisfaction

The recent publication of Brian Lara's book, "LARA: The England Chronicles," has sparked significant controversy due to assertions made by the West Indies cricket icon. In his account, Lara portrays Viv Richards as a harsh captain whose "intimidating tone of voice" often left both him and Carl Hooper in tears during their tenure under Richards' leadership. However, both Richards and Hooper have strongly disputed these claims.

Lara's book asserts that Richards' disciplinary methods would only adversely affect those who were "not strong." In reaction, Richards and Hooper have released a joint statement calling for an apology for what they view as a serious misrepresentation.

"I will admit this: Viv would make me cry every three weeks, while he would reduce Carl to tears once a week. His tone of voice is quite intimidating, and if you're not robust enough, you might take it personally and feel its impact," Lara writes in a particularly contentious passage. He adds, "Personally, I was never really affected by it. In fact, I welcomed it because being under his guidance meant I was prepared for some tough love; I consider myself a strong person. Conversely, I believe Carl felt intimidated by Viv."

Richards and Hooper maintain that they have been gravely misrepresented. Their joint statement expresses profound disappointment: "Sir Vivian Richards and Mr Carl Hooper are deeply saddened by the serious misrepresentations made about them in Mr Brian Lara's newly released book. These allegations not only distort the reality of their relationship but also unjustly tarnish their reputations."

They specifically reject the assertion that Richards' treatment of Hooper was aggressive, categorising it as "categorically false." They argue that such characterisations unfairly portray Richards as an emotional abuser, a claim they find both baseless and damaging.

"We urge Mr. Lara to promptly issue a public retraction of these inaccurate statements and to provide a heartfelt apology for the harm inflicted. It is crucial for the integrity of public discourse, as well as for their personal and professional lives, that the truth be recognised," their extensive statement concludes.