Beer Match

I'd intended to post an article extolling the wonders of the MCG as a sporting arena, but over the years I've read quite a few articles like that, so there's no need to go over the same ground again.

Suffice to say that everything you've read about it is true - it's an extraordinary place.

Here's one factor that not every cricket ground reviewer takes into account, but is, nonetheless, a critical issue in enhancing the cricket-watching experience: -

Everytime I wanted to buy a beer, it took me less than an over to leave my seat, get to the bar, buy the beer, and return to my seat.

Compare that to grounds in England, where trips for alcoholic refreshment can result in you missing out on at least half an hour's play. In fact, on one occasion at an ODI against New Zealand at Bristol, I stood in a beer queue whilst Freddie Flintoff took his score from 17 to 106 - the incompetence of the bar staff had to be seen to be believed.

Admittedly, the beer at the MCG had all the alcoholic strength of Top Deck Shandy, so that a lot of the lads were drinking red wine by the second day, but that's a minor quibble.