Empty stands at the warm-up clash between Kenya and the Netherlands yesterday at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. - claudine housen

Adrian Frater, News Editor

western bureau

Except for the vehicles of the security forces, the technical staff and the media, the car park was all but empty for yesterday's match Kenya against the Netherlands 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup warm-up 'minnow clash' at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.

As if giving credence to the claim by former West Indies fast bowling great Michael Holding that the minnows are devaluing the standard of the World Cup, it was all but the proverbial case of, 'one man and his dog', inside the stadium as over 90 per cent of the black, green and gold seats were unoccupied.

Major disappointment

For former Jamaica player Nigel Kennedy, who was among the few paying fans inside the venue, seeing the stadium almost empty was a major disappointment to him. According to the former opening batsman, even if the adults were missing, the stands should have been jam-packed with children.

"The local authorities need to find creative ways to have the children come in and see games like these," said Kennedy, who now resides in New York. "If we are serious about the development of cricket, we got to expose our youngsters to cricket at this level."

Opportunities for minnows

In responding to the suggestion that the fans might have stayed away because Kenya and the Netherlands are considered minnows, the now-retired Kennedy, said that for the game to expand beyond the eight Test-playing countries, opportunities must be created to encourage and support the minnows.

"Rural cricketers in Jamaica only began to gain prominence when the all-island league was established and they were given a chance to compete against the Kingston players," said Kennedy. "Look how many rural players are in the national team now."

"These so-called minnows won't be able to realise their fullest potential unless you bring them into the fold," continued Kennedy. "I believe they are an asset to the game as for one thing, they are showing that cricket is fast becoming a global sport." Thirteen-year-old York Castle High School Under-16 and Headley Cup player Sanjae Smith, another of the handful of spectators who watched the Kenyans and the Dutch battle each other, said he was very happy to be at the game and was grateful that his coach had furnished him with a complementary ticket.

"I am happy I got the opportunity to come and I have enjoyed myself, especially the last over of Kenya's innings when Thomas Odoyo hit those big sixes in getting 24 runs off the over," said Smith. "I believe every youngster who loves cricket should get a chance to watch games like these.

While minnows are unlikely to generate the same degree of excitement as the established teams, for fans like Kennedy, who flew in from New York to be a part of the World Cup excitement; and young Smith, who felt blessed that he had got a ticket from his coach, minnow or no minnow, cricket is cricket for them.