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MONEY was the main reason for rejecting a South African proposal for fixed cameras to take the guesswork out of television umpiring decisions at the cricket World Cup, according to event manager Michael Browning.

``That particular proposal would have added between £500 000 and £750 000 (about R5-million to R7,5-million) to our budget. To spend that amount of money to improve efficiency by a small percentage would not be cost effective,'' Browning said.

But he said plans to get fixed cameras in the right places had not been abandoned. ``Obviously we want an optimum situation. There are one or two other organisations involved. We are still looking at it.''

Browning did not share the concern of South Africans who have seen the failings of an inferior system in telecasts from Australia, where many run-out or stumping decisions have to be judged from a single camera at midwicket.

``Some 97% of all decisions in the past month or so have been correct and quite often where there have been mistakes it has been human error,'' he said.

What South Africans are concerned about, though, is the decisions that have had to be made on insufficient evidence.

In the first leg of the triangular final in Sydney, Australia's Michael Bevan was on his way to the pavilion after a direct hit by Nasser Hussain of England.

Replays from the midwicket camera were so inconclusive that the third umpire gave Bevan the green light to continue a crucial innings of 69 not out. Australia won by 10 runs.

Ali Bacher of the United Cricket Board was so concerned at the prospect that the best available technology would not be used that he contacted Lord MacLaurin, chairman of the England Cricket Board, to voice his concern.

``He was not aware that the proposal from South Africa had been turned down,'' Bacher said. ``He promised to look into it.''

Bacher added: ``The debate is over who should pay. I am sure it is something that can be worked out without too much difficulty. There were an average of 10 referrals to the third umpire per game during the limited overs series against the West Indies. With 42 games and global TV for the World Cup there is an excellent opportunity for a sponsor.''

Bill Burrows, director of Pretoria company Avpro, said the company had quoted £500 000 (about R5-million) to install and operate fixed cameras for all World Cup matches.

The only ground which has the technology as a permanent feature is Lord's, venue of the opening match between England and champions Sri Lanka on May 14 and the final on June 20.

Avpro were involved in the installation.Browning said the World Cup would generate income of about £50-million against costs of between £15- and £20-million.

The profits will be shared between England and the International Cricket Council, which will distribute its portion to member countries. South Africa is expected to earn £1-million (about R10-million).

Ticket sales will bring in between £11-million and £12-million. Browning said 80% of the available 500 000 tickets had already been sold.

Tickets are only available through authorised travel agents for most matches, including all South Africa's group games in England. Tickets at £16 (about R160) are available for South Africa against Kenya in Amstelveen, Holland, although wait lists have been opened for other matches, excluding the game against England at the Oval which is sold out.

Five South African companies have been appointed as agents. Packages range from about R14 000 to over R20 000, depending on the number of games and standard of accommodation required.

A spokesperson for a Cape Town company said 295 packages had already been sold and about 100 calls a day were being handled. Individual match tickets could be bought, provided the clients booked flights through the company, although such tickets tended to be linked to expensive ``hospitality packages''. A ticket for the final costs R3 840, excluding airfare.

Contributed by Management (help@cricinfo.com)