KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (CMC):

A MERE smattering of spectators have turned out for the first two official Cricket World Cup warm-up matches at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex.

Most of the stands at the upgraded venue were empty for the opening clash between England and Bermuda on Monday and the scenario was virtually repeated for Tuesday's match between Australia and Zimbabwe.

"We didn't expect very many people to turn up for these first three games. In fact, to tell the truth, I was surprised we had so many yesterday (Monday)," Mike Findlay, the CWC Local Organising Committee's chief executive, admitted.

"I suppose it was the first day and people wanted to see what Arnos Vale was like and to be a part of history."

Findlay said there had been little interest in the first two matches while stressing that Monday and Tuesday had also been working days.

Bigger crowd predicted

He predicted a bigger crowd tomorrow when world champions Australia meet England in the final warm-up match. Both sides have scores to settle following recent meetings in the Ashes Test series and the subsequent tri-series. "They (Monday and Tuesday) are working days, in the first case, and I think people are looking at the big match, Australia/England and they want to see that," said Findlay, explaining the lack of spectators at the first two matches. "They will be seeing some of the best players in the world in those two teams and they want to come to see it. They have a holiday, they have nowhere else to go and it's going to be like a picnic-like atmosphere here on Friday."

"Generally, I think when we look back at this we should be pretty well happy with what we've done."