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No fancy-dress, no booze!

English cricket is on a 'Miss Manners' kick. About time too, would say those who have watched the infamous Barmy Army when they are going good.

Lancashire county, thus, have announced a ban on spectators wearing offensive costumes, of bringing alchohol into the premises of Old Trafford, when England and South Africa square off on Thursday in the third Test of the ongoing series.

Club members alone will be permitted to bring limited amounts of alchohol into the grounds. Interestingly, though, you can buy any amount of beer from the bars inside -- so it would appear, at first sight, that the ban is intended not to ensure there is no drunken behaviour, but to make sure that if the fans must get drunk, then the club concessionnaires might as well benefit.

As to the dress code, anything deemed "offensive" is out. As is any form of headgear, formal or fanciful, that obstructs the view of spectators.

The county officials are determined, apparently, to ensure that the disruptions, and constant pitch invasions, that rocked a Test here last year are not repeated.

County officials, thus, said they were determined to ensure that cricket was played in a safe, friendly atmosphere, with strict stewarding to ensure there were no needless alarms.

Three weeks ago, a similar ban was imposed at Edgbaston, when the two teams met in the first Test. It didn't work, however, with the game being marred by disturbances that saw over a 100 people ejected.

Agencies