The Birmingham Post's George Dobell enjoys an 11-hour Twenty20 Cup cricket festival...
As if Surrey hadn't suffered enough!
The victory of the Surrey Lion in the mascot's race would have been of little consolation for their first loss in the short history of Twenty20 Cup. But when evidence emerged that even that victory was tainted, Surrey's misery was complete.
It appears that 'Roary' [sic], the Surrey mascot, took off his lion feet so he might run unimpeded, and was disqualified as 'a cheetah.' Instead he donned spikes and tracksuit bottoms. The shame of it!
'Lanky', Lancashire's not particularly originally named giraffe mascot, was thereby promoted to champion. By a neck no doubt.
Many a traditional cricket-lover would have hated the relentless noise a full house of 21,000 made at Edgbaston on Saturday. But this was not about traditional. This competition was designed to bring new blood to the game and has done so in numbers that justify every decibel.
Crowds at most county games, and to a lesser extent at internationals too, are predominately male, at least middle-aged and white.
Not so at Edgbaston on Saturday where the age range in the crowd was much more diverse, and contained many more women.
The crowd was still mainly white, however, which is a concern, until late afternoon anyway, when the predominant colour was deep red as the sun left its mark.
Few, if any, left after the semi-finals, with the vast majority backing the underdogs, Leicestershire, in the final and roaring every four and six with undimmed passion throughout 120 overs of cricket.
Remember; the stands contained the supporters of at least four different counties. All day they sat together, with the beer flowing.
There was no trouble. It's unthinkable that the supporters of four football clubs could sit together for 11 hours, and it should provoke as much pride in cricket as it does shame in football.
The biggest cheer was reserved for Andy Flintoff. Flintoff has become a folk hero as much for the joy with which he plays his cricket as the entertainment he provides.
He was spotted by the crowd, watching the final in a corporate box and, encouraged by their cheers, stood and downed his pint in one swig. This confirmed his status as a man of the people. Truly, the new Ian Botham.
Full marks to all those who brought this event to Edgbaston. There is not a ground in the country that could have created such a vibrant atmosphere.
Speculation has it that Lord's want to stage the final next year, and expect to be given the right to do so.
But the MCC and their relentlessly officious stewards will struggle to emulate the good-natured way that Edgbaston this year, and Trent Bridge last, managed this event. Lord's may face a fight to regain the automatic right to host such finals.
