The Editor, Sir:

Tony Becca ('On The Boundary', April 1) hits the nail very firmly on the head about the reasons for the dismal attendance at this World Cup, namely the admission prices, and the ICC's ridiculous restrictions on traditional Caribbean-style fun.

Even the ICC's Malcolm Speed seems to be admitting that the effect of the ticket prices have been a major factor, and isseeking to shift the blame, saying, "We had to rely on the advice of the local organising committee to establish the prices of the tickets. It is, in retrospect, a little too rich for the local palate." It is equally "a little too rich" for him to be passing the blame on to someone else, when it was the ICC who appointed that committee in the first place.

Publicised worldwide

This committee was made up largely of the same people responsible for the infamous 2004 ticket scandal perpetuated by the WICB against England fans. The ill-feeling caused by the 2004 incident is one of the biggest reasons for so many English fans (including myself) staying away from this tournament, and because it was publicised worldwide, I'm sure other overseas fans were put off from travelling too!

Speed can't blame the Local Organising Committee for the ICC's nonsensical restrictions on fun, such as the ability of supporters to bring their own food, drink, musical instruments, etc., either. These restrictions are very much ICC restrictions, not something concocted locally. We've seen such restrictions before at other ICC tournaments.

The ICC and tournament organisers have got what they deserved in terms of the spectacular failure of the World Cup as a spectacle. However, I do sympathise with the people of the Caribbean, who invested so much in it, and had to endure all the disruption to their daily lives.

Hopefully, West Indian cricket administrators will learn their lesson, stop their obsession with ripping off overseas supporters, and start giving home fans what they want in terms of fair ticket prices and fewer restrictions. I just hope it's not too late to rescue West Indian cricket, after the squandering of this golden opportunity to revive it.

I am, etc.,

HARVEY BRANT

harveybrant@yahoo.co.uk

42 Hardenhuish Road

Bristol, UK

Via Go-Jamaica