How's your CWC?

Attendance, the cost of tickets, rain, murder, key teams getting knocked out by minnows, and the rise and rise of Ireland are topics that dominate much of the CWC conversations.

And although the field of possible winners has been narrowed, the contest is still wide open.

What do you think about CWC, so far?

CWC: Some issues so far

• Home fans have not had much to cheer about with West Indies now struggling to make the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup.
• Attendance has been a concern: some governments have had to resort to rather creative solutions to pull in the crowds.
• Some fans have complained that the cost of tickets is too high.
• The murder of Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer has cast a dark cloud over the tournament.
• There's been quite some real rain at some games: the West Indies one-day match against Australia was actually played over two days. (The Windies lost.)
• Pakistan and India have been knocked out of the tournament. Fans back home were not happy to say the least.
• Ireland (Irie-land to some West Indians), considered a rank outsider, have not only won games, the team from the Emerald Isle have also won over the hearts of many West Indians - especially in Jamaica and Montserrat (the other Emerald Isle).
• And an overweight cricketer from Bermuda has become an overnight sensation.

Leave your telephone number and comments by Thursday April 8th, and we'll contact you to 'Have Your Say' in a special edition of Caribbean Report on Friday April 9th focusing on the Cricket World Cup.

First I must say the CWC was not sold or marketed for Caribbean people eg the price of tickets to the games, then restricting our entertainers from entering the ground. AS for W I team, a poor effort with the exception of Chanderpaul who continues to give his 110%. Why do we pick the same players? Chris Gayle gives up his wicket all the time, and we have two other openers. One of our most exciting players in the 2007 season - Pollard - is bench warming while Smith continues to fail. 3 is not a charm for Lara's captaincy, it’s a complete disaster. The present W I team do not have the knockout punch. I can only wish that we will a new look team in all areas by our first game against Somerset May 12-14

Alex St.Rose

Christiansted, St.Croix USVI

Hey guys I was listening to the Caribbean Report this morning and naturally I was disappointed. A terrible performance by the West Indies. I mean to be bowled out for 190, they just were not up to scratch. For one I just don't know what has happened to Chris Gayle. Up to this point I would say that even Ricardo Powell would have been better that Dwayne Smith. I think that Samuels should be batting lower in the order. Pollard should be given a chance. One email said that there are at least two other openers well then one of them should be given a chance. When was the last time that Sarwan won a match or at least played a match winning innings for the West Indies? I honestly don't remember. Also

303 is just too many runs to be chasing. The bowlers should also be revised. There should be at least four to five changes

Ambrose

The CWC2007 is one of mere disappointment. There’s been poor marketing of the matches to bring in locals.

The poor attendance is an embarrassment to the 'capable planners and organisers'. Well done!!!

The fans who have paid high prices were of the opinion that they are paying for the 'total package' - the matches plus the incomparable West Indian cricket atmosphere which is lacking 'big time'.

The CWC2007 is an eye opener for the West Indies cricket board, the team as well as the fans. The performance has clearly demonstrated that West Indies cricket is fading and will probably be a game of the past, if serious remedies are not forthcoming.

When the CWC is over, the Caribbean host islands and Guyana risk being submerged in huge debts.

Having made a loss rather than a profit, we have only overselves to blame... poor strategies in every aspect - planning, organisation and performance.

Thumbs up to our leaders!

Vidya Sookram

Vreed-en-hoop, Guyana

I don’t think WI can win. Crowd turnout has been poor and for the final's sake it has to be England who gets there if there is to be a half decent crowd. My money is on Australia and SA, but I have faith in my home country and also think Sri Lanka will make the semis.

Oli Denne

Oxford, England

West Indies has been depressing but Ireland has been refreshing. West Indies played the worst I've ever seen them play (against Sri Lanka). Not one player even so much as smiled throughout the entire game. It was as if they went to a war they didn't want to fight. A big let down to fans like me. At least if they are going to lose, lose like Ireland: fighting to the end. I back the West Indies but I am now an Ireland fan all the way.

Michael Gooding

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

As a Bajan, I think it is a great disappointment. I have tickets for the Super 8, WI vs. England. I am not sure I even want to attend now. I have tickets for the final and hope beyond hope that the Irish make it. After all, one of my great grandmothers was Irish! Muh got de blood of the fighting Irish in me! Go Ireland, GO.

Pat

Ottawa, Canada

CWC 007 sorry to say will be remembered for it's negatives... Bob Woolmer's murder, poor attendance, the early exit of two of the major teams, and of course the high priced tickets that have left the number of supporters at games in the minimal.

On the positive however, is Ireland's rise to competitiveness among the sport's great teams.

Ann-Marie Burke

Barbados

The attendances make a joke of cricket. There would be absolute outrage if there were crowds like this at The Football World Cup.

John

Navan, Ireland

As a West Indian I would like the WI to win this cup but that not possible. No! No! No!

Colin

Toronto, Canada

The World Cup is being held in the Caribbean, but our people weren't considered by our leaders, WICB or ICC.

The most shocking thing is the price for tickets, plus the taking away of things we use to enjoy at cricket.

When this World Cup is over, ICC will no doubt make lots of money, we will have a some new grounds(which am not sure we'll be able to fill at any ordinary test in the near future) and the Caribbean wondering what hit them.

George Davis

Kingston, Jamaica

Caribbean governments and the people seem to have been given a six for a nine. Where is the CWC boom?

Mickel Brann

St John's, Antigua & Barbuda

I have been trying to campaign against wrong colour hats that the umpires wear in one -day cricket.

When a red ball is used in cricket then the umpires are not allowed to wear a red hat because it will interefere with the batsmen’s sighting of the ball if the ball comes through the background of the red hat, that is the LAW OF CRICKET. Then how is it that a major cricketing authority such as the ICC allow their umpires to wear a white hat when a white ball is being used?

During South Africa v Sri Lanka

when Malinga was bowling the S.A. batsmen asked the umpire to remove his white hat.

Let us see how the West Indies cope with the white ball and the umpires' white hat.

RAM Maharaj

London, England, UK

The poor attendance is so embarrassing. I think that promotion particularly in St. Kitts-Nevis was poor. I don't think the LOC put much investment in broadcasting of commercials on local radio stations for people to come out and watch cricket or to get tickets.

I also feel that the visitor arrivals were overstated. I remember a couple years ago the Caribbean was criticized as host venues because it was said that the Caribbean was too small to hold the influx of persons coming for Cricket World Cup.

What influx? Hardly anyone was here.

Then there was the talk of turning homes into bed and breakfast accommodations by the LOC. Oh Please!

People who did that would have wasted money. For less than two weeks of cricket here; how much money could have been made in that short period to recover the expenses of undertaking such a venture?

And I know people on Nevis in particular were planting more than the usual crops for this period of time which really resulted in a glut on the market. Well no money to be made there.

The LOC, and government overstated or were imagining figures. They were never really true in updating us on the figures for persons booking for world cup.

Could it have been so difficult to research or track how many persons were coming to the island of St. Kitts for World Cup? Even if the cancelled their bookings updates could have been given and some airlines cancel booking after a certain time.

I think not!

The government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Local Organizing Committee need to be held accountable for misleading people.

The best think about the world cup is IRELAND or as me like to say IRIE-Land. Big up to the Irish!

Desery

Prospect, Nevis

Dear Mr Ramnarine as president of the West Indies Players Association please at your next meeting ask your members to play with some heart and pride and determination and let them know that they represent 5 million people in the West Indies. And please Mr Ramnarine you have to admit they need a pay cut. It’s a funny thing what you get for $US 175,000 these days.

Case Jones

St Johns, Antigua

Its hard to believe that a sport which tends to be labelled as a 'gentleman's game' has attracted so much unwanted attention. My sincere hope is that the ICC in collaboration with other legal stakeholders will do all they can to clear the air on various accusations that have been levelled against cricket and restore the respectability and esteem in which the game was once held. From a West Indian fan’s point of view, this is/was the ideal time to kick start and rejuvenate what is perceived to be a dying sport in the Caribbean. The players owe it to the fans after losing year on year. With defeats in their first two matches, I have my doubts about our chances (West Indies) to meet the Semi-Final. Despite all the negativity and bad news over the past weeks let’s link hands and rally around cricket and most of all the West Indies. God Bless.

Aleem Hassoo

West Coast Demerara, Guyana

Even though at this time I have no statistics to back up my opinion, I believe in the final analysis the World Cup will be an economic disaster for the Caribbean.

While we discuss reparations for slavery, we allow Britain to continue its dominance over us. The West Indies team should have protested two teams from Britain playing in the world cup (England and Scotland). We also continue to refer to ourselves as West Indians instead of the Caribbean. It seems that some of our people want the connection to the former colonial masters.

Chuck Mohan

New York, USA

I think that the West Indies should try to make runs on every ball they bat if nothing else. Losing two games is not easy, but I know they can do better and they will make it to the end. Go Windies. I am all the way behind you.

Kim Chung

Georgetown, Guyana

I do think W.I can do anything. They do come from behind and win games. I go with the W.I.

Leroy Huggins

Hamden, USA

I have really enjoyed the world cup so far. I grew up in Guyana and cricket is in my blood. I do feel a little disappointed about the Windies performance so far. Lara seems to be the only sensible player we have. I get the impression that some tough leadership is what we need. Come on Lloyd this is your second calling. Show the leadership that made the Windies of your day so spectacular. These guys need to realize they have got to use brains as well as talent to win. That is how they will find that inner discipline of the former great team. This is how they will be winners consistently again.

Deo

Cleveland, Ohio, USA

I am not a business major but I have never seen such bad marketing of a product.

The impression that was given by the organizing committees was that they were more interested in the visitors who were to occupy all the hotel rooms, dine at the restaurants and partake of the games with over-priced snacks and drinks and that the local population were merely to be available to rent their spare rooms. Very little was done to get the locals to purchase tickets in a serious way. What you heard were deadlines for getting tickets rather than generating interest in attending the games.

There was little encouragement for West Indians to come out and see the world playing in our back-yard. We were given every reason to avoid the games. By far more effort was placed on the stadia than on getting people into it.

So far this is looking like the biggest disappointment for the region. I have seen more interest and attendance at funerals.

The only thing that can spark interest is if West Indies win their remaining games and naturally if they don't the World Cup will be in shambles.

I still support the West Indies and hope that they save this venture.

God help us.

Wayne Murray

Kingstown, St. Vincent

I'm not surprised there are so few people at the cricket. We ordered and paid for our tickets in August last year and they failed to arrive. The organisers have advised us that we have to pick them up from a cricket ground office, despite having paid them the courier charge back in August.

Simon Cook

Roadtown, BVI