Mohali semi-final sees empty stands

Mohali -- With India not playing, the first semi-final in the ICC Champions Trophy between Australia and New Zealand started at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here Wednesday to nearly empty stands.

In the first five overs when Australia lost two wickets, there were not even 2,000 spectators in the 37,000-capacity stadium despite the clash between the two traditional rivals. Australia had knocked India out of the championship.

Although five matches of the tournament, including this semi-final, were to be held here, it was only at the India-Australia match Oct 29 that the stadium was filled to capacity. In other matches the spectator strength was 2,000-5,000.

The second semi-final will be played at Jaipur Thursday between the West Indies and South Africa.