Freddie fuels island PR machine

It is possible to be totally oblivious to the World Cup on St Lucia when there are no games shown at the Beausejour Cricket Ground. And just when other Caribbean media outlets are writing of the possible tourism scenarios in the aftermath of Bob Woolmer's death, than the St Lucia Star sticks the below header in. The article inside suggests that advertisers should get on the bandwagon and interview barstaff from Rumours nightclub and the security guard who asked Freddie Flintoff to get his pedalo back to shore.

Just another 48 hours...

A quite unbelievable 48 hours in the cricket World Cup.

Firstly, the tragic news of Bob Woolmer's untimely death. No sooner had the News of the World shed light on Andrew Flintoff's drinking spree than the wires were reporting that Woolmer had been rushed to hospital. Following his death, it was ultimately ironic that Pakistan's defeat to Ireland was the Englishman's last. He was after all a huge advocate of the ICC's associated countries.

The previous day saw two of the World Cup's biggest upsets. India, one-day cricket's super power, were overcome by Bangladesh's all-round efforts, while delirious Irish support saw the minnows triumph over Pakistan. Sensational stuff. And catching the games on TV, and on the island hosting the tournament, kick-started the excitement of the World Cup in my opinion.

The previous night, Flintoff and Co ventured down to Gros Islet in St Lucia for their soon-to-be published night out. 36 hours before an important match against Canada, the players (and staff) were clearly sucked into the Caribbean vibe as they sampled the unique jump-up street parties.

It pales into significance, however, with Woolmer's death.

Cricket World's Island Diary No.4

The Asgiriya Stadium is staffed with knowledgable employees to help keep avid cricket fans up to date in the Test match. Unlike in Galle, there is a public announcer with details at each fall of wicket as well as landmark statistics. But it is the scoreboard operators that provoke more interest where around six young staff are manned. 24-year-old chief operator Naalem has been working at the ground for 12 years and his love for the game has seen him witness Marvan Attapattu's double century against Pakistan as well as favourite players Nasser Hussain and Chaminda Vaas.

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Kandy, dubbed the Manchester of Sri Lanka due to its indifferent rain patterns, is set to hold two international stadiums by August 2004, when the Pallekele venue, around 7kms from the city, is expected to be completed. Sri Lankan cricket signed an understanding in October with the stadium owners while the governing body is in talks with a foreign bank which would see international cricket being played for the next 10 years.

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Barmy Army rival group 'Wavy Navy', which first could be heard during the first Test in Galle, have arrived in force in Kandy. Although the group will have to wait until the third Test in the sea-port capital Colombo before they will feel at ease, t-shirts have been made and humorous, light-hearted exchanges heard between the two sets of fans. Under the signature 'Why join the Army when you can join the Navy', only around 10 t-shirts have been seen in the 30 rupee (18p) section of the ground.

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Finally, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's sweet smell of success with the bat may not be down to him bearing the fruits of hard work in the nets. He is also carrying a strawberry logo on the bottom of his bat this winter as part of a promotional push for girlfriend Rachel's new pr company.