HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC):

THERE HAS been a poor initial response from Bermudians who want to watch the country compete in their first Cricket World Cup, with both official travel agents reporting slow business.

Bermuda are scheduled to compete against Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh in Group B of the preliminary round being hosted in Trinidad and Tobago.

C Travel's Pam Maybury said her company had 'just over 100' confirmed reservations for the trip to the twin-island republic in March, while a spokesman for Meyer-Franklin reported only a 'handful' of confirmed reservations.

Maybury said she hoped to see an increase in ticket sales as the World Cup drew closer.

A privilege

"I thought more people would have been behind the team because, regardless of the outcome, it is a privilege for Bermuda to be there," she said.

"I feel that any sporting team or anybody who is representing Bermuda as far as sports is concerned need to have some sort of following, which helps to make a big difference."

She added: "Bermudians do tend to move at the last moment, so we are still hoping things pick up."

C Travel is laying on charter flights to both Trinidad and Tobago and to Barbados, where the World Cup final will be held at the refurbished Kensington Oval on April 28.

The Cricket World Cup will open on March 11 with the official ceremony while West Indies and Pakistan clash in the opener two days later.