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When the West Indies cricket team was bowled out for a mere 27 runs at Sabina Park yesterday, it dealt a harsh blow not only to fans' hopes, but also to the local economy that depends on the full excitement of a Test match.

Scheduled to run from Saturday through Wednesday, the third and final test against Australia ended abruptly on Monday afternoon, leaving disappointed fans, stunned vendors, and parking attendants who had counted on a packed stadium to boost their income.

"When the team lose like this and the match end early, is we on the ground that feel it first, enuh," said Kevin, a parking attendant from Rose Garden. "Normally, wi park bout minimum 20 cars a day easy, and dat's like $10,000. If the match go fi five days, wi coulda mek at lease $50,000. But because it done today, seh wi lose 'bout at least $20,000." Steve, another attendant from Rose Garden, stressed that the work they do goes beyond simply collecting money for a parking spot.

"Wi important, man," he said. " Wi nuh just park car and gone. We make sure dem secure. We walk di people dem to dem vehicle after di match, and we nuh leave till di last man who pay wi leave safe."

Attendants charge $500 to park cars along the street and $1,000 to secure them in a nearby church lot. Big games mean big money, especially at iconic venues such as Sabina Park. But with the Test match ending two days early, and the West Indies suffering one of its worst-ever batting collapses, the crowds disappeared just as quickly as the wickets fell. The West Indies' 27 all out was the second lowest Test score in history. The lowest was 26 scored by New Zealand, who faced England in 1955. The West Indies' previous lowest score was 47, also against England, which, ironically, also happened at Sabina Park.

Frederick, who operates in Allman Town, said he hasn't seen Sabina Park full in years.

"Long time we nuh see Sabina full, full," he lamented. "If we did have players like di great Marlon Samuels or [Jeff] Dujon, dem man deh weh people used to block road fi see, Sabina woulda buzz again."

Despite the disappointing score, some are holding on to hope that Sunday's T20 international match will provide a financial and emotional rebound.

"Mi still hopeful," Kevin said. "The T20 normally better. People come out more, and the team usually put on a better show."