Indians swarm final, locals out

Bridgetown, Barbados, Apr 28 (UNI) Indian fans have swarmed into the Australia-Sri Lanka World Cup final while local Bajans have stayed away from the Kensington Oval.

Despite the Men-in-Blue not around anywhere close, no less than 2000 Indians from India, North America and Europe have come to see the final today.

This morning the Indians could be seen swarming around all over the stadium bringing much-needed relief to the cash-strapped businessmen who have been ruing India's absence.

''See, if this is the response now, it would've been amazing if they were around till semifinals,'' said Daid Fox of famous Cave&Spherd shop of the Broad Street. He however, admitted that sales had not touched the expected figure.

Same is the case with the taxi drivers. Gordon Brown, who drives his taxi from the Bridgetown port, was complaining that there were not enough cricket fans.

But there are some neo converts like Harrison Barney. He has never heard of cricket let alone seen it. ''But the fact that almost the entire ship came for the cricket in fact forced me to buy a ticket for myself and my wife,'' he said enthusiastically.

However, sadly most of the locals have stayed away. They always felt that World Cup was basically for foreigners and they were to see in the TV besides doing whatever little business can be done.

But in the stands, it is the Australian and Indian fans which are most visible with sprinkle of Lankan fans throwing in. The Indians have thrown their complete weight behind the Lankans while any body who hates Australia, are with the Lankans.

UNI