A Day at the Test Match

I am just on the train home from what has been quintessentially one of the most British days of my life.

The 1st day of the 1st Test match between England and Pakistan is a majestic occasion. Lord's Cricket Ground, situated in NW1 of London, (practically posh central) was the destination. After a fairly simple journey, we arrived, about 40 minutes before the start of play to find we had pretty much perfect seats in blissful sunshine.

For a cricketer and a big cricket fan... A big tick off the bucket list.

Surrounded by Eton graduates and Hooray Henry's bottle of champers, Chris and I enjoyed a day of test match cricket. I have never felt more common in an environment, walking round in a t-shirt, jeans and trainers with a pint of cider. However, we weren't going to be overawed by the members' attire of ghastly red and yellow ties and strikingly bright suit jackets.

You see, the thing about Lord's is that there is almost no point in me talking about the cricket. Not that you'd want to hear about that anyway. The action is a mere sideshow of the social event. Every single ticket had been sold yet there was always a smattering of empty seats all around. That's because many people spent the whole day outside the ground, drinking beer and discussing the stock market in their tweed jackets.

They sold champagne by the bottle, costing upwards of £400 each. A gin & tonic was £13. Even the burgers were a tenner a pop. The whole place reeked of pure, disgusting, unadulterated wealth.

Even directly outside the ground, there was a gaggle of people huddled around a futuristic looking BMW, which Chris & I estimated was worth about half a million quid.

It's not a bad thing. Frankly, I'd be the same if I was a millionaire. But the atmosphere was like nothing I've experienced before. Sophisticated. Toff like. Over the top posh. List them up and experience Britain at its most stereotypical.

It was a fantastic day though. The opportunity had presented itself late last night when a friend of a friend said that two tickets were available. At 10pm, I decided on a whim to take them. £180 lighter at gone midnight, I was in possession of two tickets to a Lord's test match.

Dream come true.

Was it worth it? Most definitely. Would I do it again? Probably not. The advantage of buying the tickets a day beforehand was that I knew it was going to be sunny all day and we'd get our monies worth. I'm not sure I could manage the anxiety of watching the weather forecasts if I bought the tickets well in advance like everyone else. £90 to watch rain fall is a hell of an investment.** All in all, the day cost me near £200, (although that does include the purchase of a replica ODI shirt for £50). I'm not really in the position to be doing that a lot.

I'd place this in the once in a lifetime category.

So I'm on my way home, having experienced another one of the long list of things to do before I die, and I've had a wonderful time. I always wanted to do new things on my fortnight off work and I'm pleased I am making the most of it.

I only have three full days left, so I will try and do all I can. Another cricket match and the Bedford River Festival looms large...

** You do get a refund if there is no play, but as soon as 15 overs is reached, (That's 90 balls bowled for those of you not with the lingo), then your money is secured in the back pockets of the pressed trousers of the general secretary. Trust me, it's a very frustrating feeling.