Cup lies cold in Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr 28 (UNI) The Caribbean cricket carnival is turning out to be a snooze fest with Kolkatans meandering away from the game even as Sri lanka and Australia lock horns for the World Cup tonight.

In a climbdown form the tall claims made earlier, ICC Chief Malcom Speed has reportedly admitted there had been a lot of criticism with people saying that the Cup has been far too long and so the ICC plans to make it shorter next time on.

The reflection falls true on Kolkata, with hardly anyone interested in the big battle, a few hours away.

Vanessa Bhagwati, an avid cricket fan says, ''There is no charm left after India is gone and besides it seems a tinge too long. And after the murder of Bob Woolmer there is a feeling of distaste.'' The World Cup has been uninspiring to say the least with poor sale of tickets and even to Australia and Sri Lanka make the final an epic battle, it looks like having been dragged far too long seven weeks after Pakistan and West Indies kicked off the affair.

This is perhaps a World Cup that has promised so much and delivered so little, with most of the matches belong one sided affairs while crowed-pullers India and Pakistan bowed out fast and the hosts themselves looking quite uninspiring.

Another youngster Badsha Chowdhury said, ''I will not be coming home too early for the game. This world cup seems to be running for an eternity.'' Surojit Sen said, ''I have no interest in seeing the final. This is running too long for too many days.'' So with the final promoising to be a not-so-exciting affiar.

the nation had now adopted a 'look East policy' where they would want India to hand out a crushing defeat to Bangladesh for the knockout punch it received during the World Cup.

UNI