Bangalore, Nov 23 (IANS) The global market meltdown has hurt the Karnataka State Cricket Association's (KSCA) revenue as well.

If there were two-three takers for every corporate box that has been refurbished at the Chinnaswamy stadium in the past, as many fifteen private enclosures did not find any bidders for the fourth One-Day International (ODI) between India and England here Sunday.

The authorities sold 18,000 tickets to the public, but with cash-starved corporate houses freezing incentives to their staff and business associates, they were left with a huge number high-end tickets, which they eventually distributed among friends and relatives. Who said cricket sells like hot cakes in India?

Meanwhile, despite boasting of a huge bank balance, the KSCA administration was shown in poor light when the ground staff were called on to repair the bowlers' run up and mop up the rain-drenched ground.

The ground staffs were ill-clad and, forget rain-coats and shoes, they were not even provided with caps to protect themselves from the downpour.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) pays its players and umpires handsomely, but when it comes to ground and office staff, it is woefully tight-fisted with moolah!

When confronted with this issue, the board puts the ball in its affiliates' courts.