Fans' tepid response amidst hectic cricketing activity

Chennai, June 7 (UNI) The summer heat has not just taken its toll on the cricketers, but the usually cricket crazy spectators does not seem too excited at seeing the Asian and African stalwarts.

Unlike the tremendous response to the ODI match against the West Indies here the last time, the host Tamil Nadu Cricket Association(TNCA) admitted, that the sale of tickets so far has been poor.

A senior official said, the sale of tickets is just about 30 per cent of the capacity. However, the TNCA is hoping that the turn out would be good on match days, being a weekend, it would be a added attraction for the fans to watch few of the game's stars in action.

Both the matches are expected to evoke some interest. Being one down after the first match at Bangalore, the Asia XI led by Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardane would be going all out to take the Cup, making it 2-0.

On the other hand, the Africa XI led by South African Justin Kemp will be keen to make amends of the failure of the top order to click.

However, interest is divided with second match on June 7 being overshadowed by the BCCI meeting of the coaches committee to select the new coach for team India from among the two contenders, former South African coach Graham Ford and former England off-spinner John Emburey.

Both are scheduled to make their presentation before the committee on Saturday.

Meanwhile, after the first ODI resulted in an one-sided affair in Bangalore yesterday, the members of both teams have been arriving here in batches since this morning.

To add to the hectic cricketing activity, the Asian Cricket Council is also holding a seminar tomorrow at a five star hotel in the heart of the city, where the meeting to pick Chappell's successor is also expected to take place.

UNI