TEST match fever is bringing out the sneaky side of millions of frustrated office workers who are desperate to keep up with the score while at work, technology company 3M claimed today.
As Flintoff, Pietersen and Vaughan stake a claim for the Ashes, millions of desk-bound cricket fans without tickets for The Oval match will be using their office computers to secretly log online for news of the match.David Gower, former England cricket captain, said: 'With its success to date, the England cricket team has deservedly been thrust into the public eye and the sport has found a new place in the nation's interest. 'Certainly all eyes will be on The Oval from Thursday as people will be desperate to keep in touch wherever they are, even if they are supposed to be working at the time!' Nearly 2.4 million people logged onto the BBC sport website on one day alone for live cricket updates and experts predict that number could rocket as millions more office workers caught up in the excitement follow England's progress online while trying not to be caught out by the boss. Phil Jones, European Market Development Manager at 3M, said: 'As Ashes fever has increased we have found customers using our privacy screen filters to check the score online without disturbing anyone sitting on either side - or alerting the boss as he walks by.' 3M's new security filters fit over laptop or desktop pc screens and ensure that only the person sitting directly in front of the screen can see what is displayed on it. The privacy filters use 3M's patented 'micro-louvre' technology, working like a mini-Venetian blind to ensure that only the computer user, facing directly in front of the screen, is able to view the content. Anyone sitting either side, or looking over your shoulder, will see only a blacked-out screen. Thus, workers can appear to be busy as work, while actually following the progress of Michael Vaughan's team. Said David Gower: 'I guess there might be a slight productivity blip for a day or two while office workers keep up-to-date with developments at The Oval but I am sure that will more than be made up in the weeks and months to come by the 'feelgood factor' that would follow an Ashes series victory.' 3M privacy screen filters can be purchased from leading stationery, office or computer supplies companies and online from websites including: www.privacyscreens.co |
