Viv Richards and Carl Hooper are demanding an apology from Brian Lara following controversial claims made in his book, Lara: The England Chronicles. Lara’s book alleges that Richards intimidated West Indies cricket team members and caused emotional distress, including making Hooper cry weekly. Richards and Hooper have vehemently denied these allegations, calling them “gross misrepresentations” and a distortion of their true relationship.
In a joint statement, Richards and Hooper expressed their disappointment over the portrayal in Lara’s book. They refuted the claims, describing them as “categorically false” and harmful to their reputations. The statement highlighted that Richards, as Hooper’s captain, had always been a supportive mentor, and their relationship has been built on respect and camaraderie for nearly four decades.
“Sir Vivian Richards and Carl Hooper are deeply disheartened by the gross misrepresentations made about them in Brian Lara’s recently released book,” the statement read. “The allegations not only distort the reality of their relationship but also unjustly impugn their characters.”
Lara’s book claimed that Richards had a harsh demeanour, making Lara cry every few weeks and Hooper once a week. The statement from Richards and Hooper refuted these claims, asserting that such descriptions were not only baseless but also deeply hurtful.
The statement demanded a public retraction and a sincere apology from Lara, stressing on the need to correct the false narrative for the sake of public discourse and the individuals’ personal and professional lives.
