When play finally started at 4.45pm, the Edgbaston crowd was somehow almost full. For nearly six hours, Birmingham’s hardiest, most fanatical (or drunk?)cricket-lovers remained in their seats, or at least in the bar

Daniel Brigham27-May-2006

Elvis and Co. provided plenty of entertainment to the beleaguered crowd © Getty Images
On official fancy-dress day at Edgbaston, the only costume suitable wasmacs and wellies. Elvis Presley’s quiffs were flattened, the Pink Pantherslowly turned green and the Vikings appeared to be drawing upplans for building a long boat.When play finally started at 4.45pm, the crowd was somehow almost full. Fornearly six hours, Birmingham’s hardiest, most fanatical (or drunk?)cricket-lovers remained in their seats, or at least in the bar. Like ateam chasing down a tricky score (England take note), the crowd crossedoff successive targets: first, the end of the persistent, warm drizzle;second the appearance of the sun; thirdly the removal of the big covers(which was cheered with almost as much vigour as Kevin Pietersen’s reversesweep six yesterday); fourthly, and finally, the sight of Andrew Flintoffleading his men out. England had obviously been itching to get out there -umpires Aleem Dar and Darrell Hair were almost tripped up, so close wereEngland on their heels.This Edgbaston crowd had plenty to entertain themselves with. Many werefixated by replays on the large screen of iconic images from lastsummer’s Ashes Test at this venue. With the kind of wide-eyed wonderusually reserved for children in sci-fi films, the crowd relived everyheart-stopping moment. Was it really that close? It all seems surreal now.And Brett Lee’s cover drive through the covers that seemed to be going fora winning four before the camera showed Ashley Giles move into frame tocut it off brought audible gasps. Perhaps people were imagining the fateof that Test if Giles’s replacement Monty Panesar had been fielding in hisplace. It’s enough to give anyone the shivers.Early arrivals were also entertained by Paul Collingwood giving Panesarfielding lessons on the boundary. His dives across the grass may have beenmore elephant than elegant, but the practice appears to have worked today- Panesar was confident and without error in the field.

Tillakaratne Dilshan played beautifully, notching a patient fifty before falling to Matthew Hoggard © Getty Images
After a spot of fancy-dress wrestling that began to show worrying signs offalling into Fight Club territory, it was back to the stands as the sunsplit the crowds. After the umpires decided to ignore the splashes causedby rolling a ball across the outfield, Edgbaston eventually had thecontinuation of a Test match. There’s a reason why England love playinghere – the buzz never ceases, the roar rarely loses its monstrous pitch.Unfortunately, it could hardly be said the wait was worth it. Unless, ofcourse, you’re Sri Lankan. Michael Vandort and Tillakaratne Dilshan playedbeautifully and the Edgbaston crowd had the experience of watching anEngland attack lacking in ideas for the second successive Test. Dilshan’swicket late-on lifted the crowd to fever pitch, but it was more indesperation than expectancy.Prior to the wicket, the biggest talking point was the absence of GaryPratt, England’s supersub and Ponting’s nemesis. Liam Plunkett did notappear at the start due to falling heavily on a shoulder, but hisreplacement wasn’t Pratt, it was his Durham team-mate Gary Scott. So, withDurham not playing, just where was Pratt? Is he ducking the limelight? Orperhaps the 6’6” haulking Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody is too much of aterrifying prospect to upset. Whatever the reason, it would have beenunlikely that Pratt would have found a warmer, more entertaining receptionthan the one offered by the beleaguered-but-merry Edgbaston crowd.