People seem to regard the draw for the quarter-finals of what appears to have been the 1988 Benson & Hedges Cup in cricket as having been bungled: a quote from the relevant authority is that it was “an embarrassing cock-up”. Well, I'm not so sure! To start with, the draw as made—unlike some others!— was perfectly fair. The draw had to be restarted twice (this is what concerned observers) and so there is a question of efficiency of the chosen method of drawing. In fact, in seeking alternatives, there arise interesting questions of balancing efficiency, “excitement” and the (generally innumerate) public's perception of fairness. Let me explain!