Locals boycott Windies-Aussie match, strict ground rules to blame

Sydney, Mar 29 (UNI) It seems this edition of the cricket World Cup is full with anti-climaxes, the latest one being the disillusioned local fan's boycott of what is termed as the biggest match of the tournament so far involving host West Indies and world champions Australia.

Despite the Antigua government's efforts to bring in more spectators at the newly constructed Sir Vivian Richards stadium by declaring a holiday, the 20,000-seat capacity ground was relatively empty, the Herald Sun reported.

The poor turnout was as a result of the stringent rules of the tournament, which do not allow food, drink or musical instruments to be brought into the ground.

Apart from the food and drink restrictions, another factor that led to local fan's boycott was high pricing of the match tickets which costs around 32 dollar to 110 dollar.

Meanwhile, respected Caribbean commentator Fazeer Mohammad believes that poor turnout of fans was a blow to the self-esteem of the tournament because it proved that World Cup organisers had failed in one of the key aspects of the cup - winning the support of the people of host nation.

''I think the organisers have lost sight what a day of cricket is for Caribbean people. It is about taking your own food and drink and sitting with the people you want to sit with,'' he said, adding, ''but under the ticket system of the tournament, there is no guarantee you can do that.'' UNI XC SSC DH BD1629