West Indies deny ticket climbdown

The West Indies Cricket Board has denied reports that it has lifted the levy on tickets for British fans ahead of next month's Test series in the Caribbean. According to a report in Wednesday's edition of The Daily Telegraph, the WICB had been forced to throw open its ticket sales to all nationalities in response to sluggish demand, but this has been categorically denied by their chief executive, Roger Braithwaite.

"Patrons in the UK, Europe and the Republic of Ireland can only make their purchases through New Century Marketing who are the exclusive agents for sales in the European region." Brathwaite emphasised. A recent press release had suggested that UK callers could ring the WICB central ticket hotline, and so bypass the levy, but Braithwaite explained that any such caller would be automatically diverted to the original - and more expensive - ticket line.

"We regret any misunderstanding that may have occurred and would like to thank the patrons from the UK, Ireland and Europe for their outstanding support of the series," added Braithwaite. "All sectors of the community are looking forward to making your stay in the Caribbean an enjoyable experience." The British allocation for the third Test in Barbados in April has almost sold out, despite five-day match passes being priced at £289 and £348, but sales for the Trinidad and Jamaica Tests remain very slow.