THIS World Cup was supposed to be a calypso carnival.

It is in danger of becoming the tournament that nobody, apart from many new Irish viewers, watched. The mood inevitably altered after the tragic death of Bob Woolmer in Jamaica but that cannot explain the absence of crowds everywhere. A case of calypso collapso is imminent. "It is disappointing and it could bring down the tone and therefore affect the importance of the event, " said the commercial director, Stephen Price. "But we have put immediate plans in place to ensure that there are bums on seats for the rest of the games in Super Eight stage."

The extent of the apparent indifference became clear at the opening Super Eight match in Antigua on Tuesday.

West Indies, the host nation, were playing Australia, the defending champions. The spiffing new ground at North Sound was pristine.

Its standard 10,000 capacity had been increased to 19,000 especially for the World Cup, probably for this match.

A mere 9,500 turned up although 11,000 tickets had been sold and when the match went into a second day that went down to 4,000. Brian Lara, West Indies captain, was visibly angry and said the players were affected by it. Blame is busily being apportioned and denied. If the International Cricket Council, whose event it is, are bothered they are probably not losing sleep.

Their money is already in the bank from the Global Cricket Corporation, who own the television rights, and their corporate sponsors.

The minimum ticket price in Antigua is US$25, a significant sum since the unemployment rate is approaching 20 per cent. The new ground stands in isolated glory and most traffic is prevented from getting within three quarters of a mile of the ground. In Guyana, the difficulties have been aggravated by a less efficient local organising committee, who were effectively sacked last week. "I don't think ticket prices have affected attendances, " said Price. "The lowest price is fine. But I think that more visitors were expected and they just haven't shown up."

There should be lessons to be learned from this World Cup for the next tournament on the sub-continent in 2011.

The West Indian organisers intend to learn now. With six Super Eight matches left in Antigua and Guyana members of local cricket clubs and schools will be bussed in to fill some of the gaps. It is expected that most games in Barbados will be packed out.

Grenada are reportedly above 50 per cent ticket sales. "It's disappointing, " said Price. "We don't wish the World Cup to be remembered for empty stadiums. But we won't stop working."