Top cricketer Carl Hooper likes Bermuda so much that he plans to come back next year for his first anniversary.

In fact, if things work out he may be able to return in September to be a part of the annual Testimonial match, having discussed the possibility with event organiser St Clair (Brinky) Tucker last week during his Island honeymoon.

The West Indies vice-captain flew into Bermuda last Tuesday and in a quiet ceremony married Australian Constance Tambakis on Thursday. The couple were looking for a quiet place and Bermuda fitted the bill perfectly, said the top batsman.

"When we were in England arranging everything I asked that we keep it low key,'' said Hooper, who spoke to The Royal Gazette on Saturday before flying back to England to rejoin his English County team Kent.

"I wanted this to be between my new bride, myself and family. Nobody knew anything really. Over the years from playing against Bermuda there are a few of the guys in the team that I know but I've been so busy since I arrived here that I haven't been able to get in contact with them.'' Because Kent did not have a game last week, Hooper was able to take time off to get married, with the ceremony taking place at Christ Church in Devonshire.

He needed to be back for training today and tomorrow to prepare for a match on Thursday.

Hooper's first visit to the Island is three years later than it should have been, having had to pull out as the guest player at the Testimonial match in 1995 when bowling great Clarence Parfitt was honoured. However, his delayed first visit has left the Guyana-born Hooper very impressed.

"It's a beautiful place and the weather is warm like the Caribbean, but it's so clean and everything is so neat, tidy and well organised,'' he said.

How does it compare with other places he has visited around the world? "Better than most, you've got everything here.

"The people are very polite. In some islands in the Caribbean you can find some very aggressive people. Here, they always have a good morning, good afternoon and are very helpful.

"I had heard of Bermuda but nobody said it was like this. I know for sure I'll come back here and play a game.'' Being the well recognised player that he is, Hooper's presence did cause one or two stares, but nothing more than expected anywhere else. "Some guys who are cricket fans have looked and looked again,'' he admitted.

This year's Testimonial match is scheduled for September 19, the day before the season ends in England. And depending on whether Kent are in the chase for honours, there may be the possibility of the batsman returning. "It's going to be tough, but the only way something like that can happen is if my county team were not in the championship (race) and they agreed to let me miss a game,'' he said.

"I'd love to come back on the 19th but I'll have to speak to Kent first.

We're fifth and not too far off the leaders and it's pretty tight. If we can put four or five wins together I'm sure we could win it.

"I started playing for Kent in 1992 but I missed two years, one for a West Indies tour and then when we had an extended tour of the Caribbean by the Indians and Sri Lanka. As a result I was late going back so we decided to scrap that year.'' At 31, Hooper is reaching his peak and starting to live up to his vast potential. He has been a regular member of the West Indies team since making his debut in 1987-88 during a tour of India. In those days the likes of Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Jeff Dujon, Gus Logie and Malcolm Marshall were still around.

Now he finds himself as one of the senior members of a West Indies team that is going through a rebuilding stage.

"I'm beginning to play well so hopefully things will get better,'' he said.

"You don't want to overstay your time but playing to 35, 36 would be good.''