Caught behind? Not any more after Lord’s calls time on slatted benches
FOR longer than they care to remember, members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) have put up with the hard wooden benches of the Lord’s Pavilion from which to enjoy the spectacle unfolding before them.
Such is the discomfort caused by watching long hours of cricket on these most unforgiving of surfaces that the benches have come to be known as “back breakers”.
But a more relaxing viewing experience is finally in sight for the men and women in the MCC’s distinctive red and yellow blazers. After years of spending all too many innings fidgeting and stretching to get some relief, they are to get padded seating.
The MCC, whose members include Mick Jagger, Sir Tim Rice and John Major, took the decision to replace the benches after repeated complaints.
Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, an associate member of the 232-year-old club, welcomed the move, telling The Telegraph: “I know I should say we need to show a stiff upper lip, but cricket can be a very long game and those slatted benches can be very trying, especially during the last half-hour of play. I watch cricket for fun and not for endurance, so in this issue I put comfort ahead of tradition.”
The new benches – to be fitted in time for the test match against the West Indies in June – were chosen after a survey found that a significant number of members preferred one of two test models they were asked to try out.
Two prototype replacements were produced, made of padded, upholstered and waterproof material. These were placed outside on the top tier of the pavilion, and members were encouraged to sit on them and give the club their feedback.
The results were clear cut, with only 7 per cent of the 488 who took part saying they wanted to keep the old back breakers.
Nearly two thirds (64 percent) preferred Bench A, a Spanish-made seat with white padding on wooden slats, and with a more traditional appearance than Bench B, which won the backing of just a quarter of members. Gone will be the “S” shape of the existing benches which have a dip at the back of the seat, giving an unnatural sitting position.
The club said Bench A was “the clear preference in terms of both comfort and appearance”. One long-standing member said: “Thank God. It’s agony sitting on those slatted wooden benches for long periods.” Jamie Clifford, assistant secretary for membership and operations, said: “We regularly survey all our visitors on a range of areas which allows us to gauge where progress and improvements can be made.
“For some time, the comfort of the Pavilion benches has been raised by our members as an area needing attention and we are very happy to respond to that need by installing new, more comfortable, benches in time for the West Indies Test in June.”
He added: “The Pavilion is an iconic part of the Home of Cricket, scene of so many historic occasions, and the replacement benches are in keeping with it. Lord’s is an incredible place to watch cricket and we continually look to ensure we are providing an exceptional experience for all who come here.”
The new benches will be part of significant improvements at Lord’s, with redevelopment of the Compton and Edrich stands for the 2021 season increasing the capacity by 2,500 to 31,000, along with extra bars and restaurants at the Nursery End of the ground.
New facilities will also include 12 food and drink outlets and two hospitality restaurants.