West Indies deserve better
The 2007 World Cup has been severely criticised for its poor crowds, lack of competition and several other shortcomings but Richard Boock, in The New Zealand , herald, has come out in defence of the Caribbean.
This tournament was never going to be about massive, seething crowds. It was always going to be about colour and energy; about spirit and fun and the beauty of a game. If visiting fans haven't been plentiful or adventurous enough to seize that opportunity that's their fault. The Caribbean deserves this tournament more than any other cricketing region; the near-crime is that they hadn't been invited to host it earlier.
George Binoy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo