Last Thursday, 7th September, I made my annual pilgrimage to Lords. It was 61 years ago I first visited the Home of Cricket to see a "Victory Test" between an England XI and a team of Australian servicemen, including the then unknown Keith Millar. Lords was absolutely crammed full on that very hot Bank Holiday Monday. Last Thursday was warm enough, but the crowd numbered perhaps two or three hundred – for the second day of Middlesex versus Notts. I made my way to the upper tier of the Compton Stand, named after my boyhood hero Dennis Compton (hence my lifelong support of his county). Perhaps I should have gone on the previous day when Dennis's grandson Nick Compton opened the batting (with Hutton!) and carried his bat for 103 not out. Thursday was a bleak day for Middlesex, on their way to an innings defeat and relegation. Their bowling was weak and carted all over the ground by Smith, Fleming and Patel, each of whom made centuries. Patel reached 50 with two successive sixes and repeated that an over later.
Cricketers' dress has changed in recent years. County cricket at least is still played in whites, but the front of Middlesex shirts was emblazoned with "Northern Rock" while Notts players had a number on their backs together with their names (though you needed binoculars to read the names). Crowd dress is varied. In the pavilion, of course, gentlemen wear ties and there is a notice on the Warner Stand (for members and friends) advising that sports clothing, frayed jeans and sleeveless shirts are not permitted. There are no rules for the plebs elsewhere. Sitting in the Compton Stand were two men of "mature" years displaying shirtless red backs on a not too hot day. Another younger man near me was wearing just shorts. But when he got up to go he put on over his shorts a business suit, white shirt and tie and black shoes.
Lords is really like a small city. As well as the field of play and stands, there are shops (for sports goods, books, sweets), a museum, a training ground with a fitness centre, statues and drinking fountains, advertising hoardings, numerous bars, a restaurant and places for people to meet. In fact there's plenty to do and see without bothering about the match!