ANTIGUA - Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist joined the debate about the disappointing cricket World Cup crowds in Antigua today by suggesting all unsold tickets be put on sale at cut-price.
The new Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here, with an increased capacity of 19,000 spectators, has been half full
at best for the Super Eights, with visitors making up the majority of the crowd.
"It seems like there's a lot of people interested in the World Cup, just talking to the locals everyone is interested in it, is very aware of it, very excited for it to be here," Gilchrist said.
"But it's not translating into big numbers in the ground."
Gilchrist said the cheapest ticket was US$25 ($35) which was a lot of money for a local to pay given that the tournament was mostly paid for by sponsorship.
"I don't know the whole pricing policy inside out but I am certain there are some pretty expensive tickets around. Whatever the policy is at the moment it doesn't seem to be working," he said.
"So maybe we can look at dropping the price and having a sale. Retailers with over-stocked merchandise have a sale certainly every year to try and get rid of it, so maybe that's something we can look at and that might encourage people to turn up."
Gilchrist said it was disappointing for the players to perform before small crowds.
"If there's going to be world class cricket on offer it's a shame to do it in front of empty houses," he said.
"You come here, as I'm sure the spectators do, to experience the unique atmosphere that is Caribbean cricket. I don't know whether that's because the administration hasn't let it flow, people are not turning up."
- REUTERS
