What advice would seasoned cricket fans give for enjoying my first trip to a test match?

Posted by heliumposter@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 14 comments

Going to watch England in Edgebaston in September with a few mates. I am a relatively new fan of cricket. Can I bring food? Do I need to arrive early etc? Any other advice appreciated.

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ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

OP marked this as the best answer, given by /u/BlackJackKetchum.

Take a sun hat and a lot of sun cream. Also layers so if the temperature drops or rises you are not marooned. And an umbrella. Unless you are very, very good at hiding booze it will be confiscated at bag check. Taking your own food is a big money saver. A refillable water bottle will be your friend, as they have taps for this.

An over the ear commentary radio is worth the tenner or whatever they cost these days.

My ‘home’ ground is Trent Bridge these days, but Edgbaston has the best atmosphere of any British test ground IMO. The Hollies is an absolute hoot if you are there.

If you have a long train journey home, quadruple check times before you stay for one more over or duck out early.

^(What is this?)

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Take a sun hat and a lot of sun cream. Also layers so if the temperature drops or rises you are not marooned. And an umbrella. Unless you are very, very good at hiding booze it will be confiscated at bag check. Taking your own food is a big money saver. A refillable water bottle will be your friend, as they have taps for this.

An over the ear commentary radio is worth the tenner or whatever they cost these days.

My ‘home’ ground is Trent Bridge these days, but Edgbaston has the best atmosphere of any British test ground IMO. The Hollies is an absolute hoot if you are there.

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heliumposter@reddit (OP)

!Answer . Thank you, that is all really useful. Looking forward to it now

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DefStillAlive@reddit

I went to a test match at Edgbaston a few years ago, and the people next to us (who we didn't know) offered us some paté. That never happens at the football.

I know nothing about cricket, but had a great day sat in the sunshine drinking heavily and clapping every now and then for reasons I didn't really understand.

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cloud__19@reddit

I've never been offered pate at the rugby either.

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datguysadz@reddit

Definitely bring refreshments.

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Ochib@reddit

Read the information about what flags etc you can take

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Skibur33@reddit

Suncream, a hat, forget about budgeting, shorts, hydration, more suncream, more hydration

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Amanensia@reddit

I go to every Edgbaston Test. Taking in food is completely fine, indeed expected, but no alcohol. Queueing for food at the food stalls (and there are dozens and dozens of them) can take the entire lunch break and then some, so I would strongly recommend taking in food. Unfortunately the stalls are expensive, which wouldn't bother me overly except that most of them are also very ordinary in terms of quality.

A few years ago at an India Test we were sat in front of an Indian family with huge quantities of amazing home-made samosas etc. We got chatting and ate like kings all day! Naturally we bought them drinks etc in return. It's a lovely atmosphere.

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