Cricket-mad Asians turn clicks into cash on web

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

COLOMBO (AFP) — Millions of cricket-mad Asians are following the game over the Internet through computers and mobile phones and big business loves it.

India's cricketing wealth, which is estimated to be about 50 times more than any of their rivals, dominates the game in cyberspace with millions following the national team from their homes in the United States and the United Kingdom.

"Our largest markets are North America, mostly Indian expats, West Indians, Pakistanis, UK, Australia and India," said Charlie Austin of Cricinfo, cricket's largest portal which attracts over seven million visitors every month.

"We also reach hundreds of thousands of users in New Zealand, the Middle East, Pakistan and South Africa," he told AFP.

Cricket is ideally suited...