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MCC memberS yesterday staged a protest at having to pay for tickets during the World Cup by leaving the Lord's pavilion largely unoccupied for the opening match between England and Sri Lanka.

The pavilion, usually highly populated for big matches, was virtually abandoned as members objected to having to pay for admission when they are normally allowed free entry to the ground as part of their membership.

``It doesn't look good and it's very disappointing,'' admitted Chris Rea, head of marketing at MCC. ``We sold all but 400 of the members' tickets so I can only assume they have chosen to sit elsewhere with their friends.

``Members are entitled to sit anywhere and the other stands are full, which isn't always the case. It's very embarrassing to see all those empty spaces in the pavilion.''

Members were so enraged at MCC charging them admission that the recent annual meeting was adjourned while a members' advisory committee was formed, to be chaired by president Tony Lewis, to look into the controversy.

The committee's only concession to members was to give them a 25 per cent discount, leaving them with an admission price of £45 for yesterday's match.

Lord's has two other matches during the tournament, a Super Six game on June 9 and the final on June 20.

Favourites South Africa open their campaign at Hove today fully aware of the dangers Sachin Tendulkar poses - but insisting India are not a one-man team.

Tendulkar has scored more one-day centuries, 21, than any other player but South Africa captain Hansie Cronje said: ``People focus a lot on Sachin because he is a very fine player but India have a lot of players who can take it away from you.''

Today's other game sees Zimbabwe, whose coach, David Houghton, insisted his side had the capabilities to reach the semi-finals before a recent run of poor results, face Kenya at Taunton.

Houghton said: ``Up until Christmas we were playing good cricket - if the World Cup had started on Jan 1 you would have fancied us - but now we have some catching up to do.''

Australia begin their quest for a second World Cup title with the most gentle of tests tomorrow when they take on the 500-1 outsiders, Scotland, at Worcester.

Only two of the Scots - John Blain, 20, from Northamptonshire, and Yorkshire's Gavin Hamilton - are full-time professionals and avoiding humiliation, rather than dreaming of an upset victory, will be their realistic target.

The West Indies will take a fitness check on Brian Lara today before deciding whether he will play in tomorrow's match with Pakistan at Bristol.

Mystery has surrounded the extent of Lara's wrist injury since the West Indies squad arrived in England last week.

Team manager Clive Lloyd said: ``We will wait and see how Brian is before selecting our team. There is also a doubt over Stuart Williams, who has a leg strain.''

Pace bowler Courtney Walsh appears to have overcome a minor knee injury.