Cricket: Lamb says refunds are just the ticket

Tim Lamb, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, believes supporters will get the cost of admission refunded following the abandonment of the first Test at Sabina Park on Thursday.

"One's heart does go out to the many hundreds of England supporters out there who saved a lot of money to go and watch cricket," he said.

On the bigger outlays, such as the cost of air tickets, he said he understood that the Jamaican Prime Minister was taking an interest in the matter.

"Whether there's a possibility of some sort of redress through the Jamaican Tourist Board or the Jamaican Government I don't know," said Lamb, who added that he would like to see supporters receive some form of compensation.

"The players are prepared to make themselves available to attend a function or reception this evening if required, through the good offices of the Jamaican Prime Minister, which might act as some sort of compensation to the supporters," he added.

Legal action is possible from disgruntled tour groups of England supporters, several hundred of whom are on the island after paying pounds 1,300 for seats and accommodation.

"The atmosphere is one of shock and sadness," said Alison Sullings, of the tour operators Caribbean Connections. "The majority of clients out there are very seasoned travellers and are very saddened because they want to go and enjoy the cricket and they can't."