The perfect seat (17 June 1999)

17 June 1999

The perfect seat

Alex Balfour

It was as close to the perfect cricket match as any spectator at Edgbaston could have hoped for. It was the sort of game tournament organisers dream about, spectators pray for and players daren't imagine. The South Afican players may be suffering now, but spare a thought for the fools who sold their tickets or just failed to show up (it happens). They will never forgive themselves. Dimwits.

Who knows, there may even be a tout or two who is wondering now why they didn't take a day off and treat themselves to a fantastic day's cricket. Alright, alright that would break the tout's code of honour or whatever and fly in the face of everything we know about greed and opportunism, but this really was that good a game. Stuff your Manchesterunitedluckylastminutecupfinalwin and give me the last two overs of Edgbaston World Cup 1999 every time.

Imagine if you could pick the last gasp wins from the duds in advance, and be sure only to attend the most exciting games. If you could choose the venue, the company and even the seat as well, where would you be? Newlands perhaps, surrounded by your family on a New Year's day test? How about enjoying a drink with a group of favourite friends on the last day of a fifth and deciding test in Antigua? Well add Edgbaston on a beautiful summer's day to that list. The game, the weather, the contest were all superb. If ever there is a repeat, the only problem you might find if you come here is working out where to sit.

An executive box may sound like a pretty cushy option. Midlands businessmen who parted with 400 pounds a head to eat and drink in the executive boxes at the City End probably thought they had the best view, and certainly the most luxurious seats, on offer today. But the problem with executive atendees of course, is that most think that the game is a rude interruption to talking about business and gladhanding. How long can you bear the bleating of the highly indifferent trying to look interested: "he's out, my god that's amazing, he's actually out. Who was he anyway?". The stands are obviously at the heart of the action, but they have their drawbacks too. Good for atmosphere, but always bad for replays, reliable information and there's always the danger that you'll be trapped between drunken fools, pinned in by by the ample bulk of a specatator who should have booked a seat and a half, or find yourself sitting next to an Aussie. Most fans who know no better think the press box must be the place to be. Yes, it's true, journalists are plied with free food and soft drinks. They usually have a choice of TVs for replays. They have staff on hand to bring them scorecards on request. And best of all they are paid to be there. But press boxes are not the best places to actually watch cricket. During big games they are crowded, fraught, and fairly pungent because journalists, and cricket journalists in particular, are generally unfamiliar with the correct use of soap and deodrant. Worst of all it's considered very bad form for journlists to clap a century, let alone cheer a winning six. Journalists' supposed neutrality mitigates against behaviour that might show you are enjoying the game. The older and wiser you are the less moved you will be by a game, because of course you've seen so many. And of course you reserve your exuberance for your writing. Or for the bar after (or during) the game.

The best seats, and the best kept secret, at Edgbaston today were on the gantry just above the television commentary boxes over the pavilion. Just above the bowler's arm, plenty of legroom, a great view of the big screen and an atmosphere enhanced by small coterie of TV staff all rooting for their team (which turned out to be Australia in the main) vociferously. Throw in a lot of banter, a nice big flight case to sit on, the odd side bet between commentators on a break, and the thoughts of Harsha Bogle sitting at your side ("I'm telling you, South Africa will win this" he repeated while furiously combing his hair before going on air) and you have the perfect seat.