July 25, 2002

Ground rules

- Jonathan Dyson

One of the most attractive features of the Natwest Series was the atmosphere generated at each game, and in particular the presence of thousands of vocal, enthusiastic Indian supporters. So, will we see the same during the Test series? What follows is a guide to each ground explaining what supporters can and can’t do.

LORD’S
TEST DATES: July 25-29

Grounds for concern

Despite the wonderful atmosphere created at the NatWest Series final, the ban on all flags, banners and musical instruments remains in place. This is in spite of Lord's' admission that they have received several calls from Indian fans asking for the current restrictions to be relaxed.

Ian Wilton, Head of Communications at MCC, explained why the ban is to stay in place: "It is our consistent policy that no flags, banners or musical instruments are to be allowed into the ground. This regulation is in place because we don’t want to inconvenience other spectators or potentially ruin the enjoyment of others. The policy will remain the same for the rest of the season. Tickets for this season’s matches have already been bought on this basis, so we cannot relax the rules mid-season."

Asked if stewarding would be tightened in view of the flags and musical instruments brought in for the NatWest Series final, Wilton simply replied that "it is not practical to search every single person who enters the ground." However, one fan who went to Lord's for both India-England games reported a clear case of discrimination: "Indian fans coming through the North Gate were being guided by stewards to go through the first few gates at the Wellington Road end, where each fan was thoroughly checked. However, English fans were being guided through to the far gates and no checks were being carried out. An appalled Englishman was so furious at what he saw as double standards that he complained. It also meant that a number of Indian fans had to wait for the bars to open whilst many an English fan had started to drink their own beverages." The fact that English as well as Indian flags could be seen during the NatWest Series final should also give the MCC food for thought.

The same fan also reported a poignant example of the rigid enforcement of the dress regulations: "My wife and my sister both had a special dress made for the final -- a white, cotton, Punjabi-style outfit with the Indian flag printed across. They were stopped by one steward and told that the dress was against regulations (we were in the Grandstand). For whatever reason, they were quite adamant, and only until I got quite angry and a large group started to form, did the steward allow them in."

Grounds for optimism

In spite of all the rules in place, the two NatWest Series games at Lord's showed that Indian supporters can still have a good time there. It seems that if an item contravening the regulations is brought inside the stadium, it will not necessarily be confiscated. It also helps that most of the English supporters either enjoy the presence of the Indian fans, or are not bothered by them. One Indian fan who went to the first NatWest Series game at Lord’s wrote: "The post-match mood was great. Once India won, we Indian fans gathered around the Nursery End and started dancing with the drum beats playing. Amazingly, many English supporters also joined in, and danced outside on the road for an hour or so without any interference from any one."

Further evidence, then, that the MCC's rules only benefit a minority of spectators.


TRENT BRIDGE
TEST DATES: August 8-12

Grounds for concern

No flags, banners or musical instruments are allowed. Attempts to gain further comment on this merely gleaned the fact that "it is the club’s policy".

Grounds for optimism

Being a relatively small, compact stadium, Trent Bridge tends to provide a good atmosphere for international matches. The Sri Lankan fans there for the NatWest Series game appeared to enjoy themselves, and the combination of a large Asian community and the Nottingham locals, always up for a good time, bodes well for the Test match.


HEADINGLEY
TEST DATES: August 22-26

Grounds for concern

Yorkshire state that "fireworks, smoke cannisters, knives, bottles, glasses, cans, air horns, flags, banners, poles and other similar articles or containers which might be used as a weapon are not permitted". How flags and banners might be used as weapons is not stated. Headingley stewards are renowned for being uncompromising, and on occasion unnecessarily violent. During the 1997 Ashes Test, one fan was seriously injured after being hurled into an advertising hoarding. His crime, along with another fan, was to wander round the edge of the playing area dressed as a cow. Meanwhile, there were several reports of racist chanting during the 1996 Test against Pakistan -- the last time an Asian side played a Test at Leeds.

Grounds for optimism

Perhaps more than any other county, Yorkshire love their cricket. The crowd's passion is seen in their unabashed appreciation of good play, whoever is performing well. Meanwhile, the recently re-designed Western Terrace, with significantly more leg room, has eased the discomfort of supporters, thereby creating a more easy-going atmosphere.


THE OVAL
TEST DATES: September 5-9

Grounds for concern

Despite relatively lenient ground regulations, some unpopular security policies remain in force. One fan who went to The Oval during the NatWest series wrote that "the security was way over the top. People were being warned that they were not allowed to take photos or camcorder shots of any part of the ground, including family shots. Otherwise, they were told, they would be ejected from the ground. Further, stewards who said to some 'sneeze and your out' gave the day a slightly soured edge".

Grounds for optimism

Flags and banners are allowed, as are certain musical instruments. And if the NatWest Series is anything to go by, the policy on which instruments you can take in is liberal. During the India - Sri Lanka game, dhols, tablas, fog horns, blow horns and whistles were out in force. The NatWest inflatable stumps are also permissible. (At Lord’s they are not -- then again, what is?).

Also read:
- India score a double at Lord's
- India rule on and off the pitch
- India's 'home' support

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Illustration: Bijoy Venugopal