Old Trafford

Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester has been the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club since 1856. International Test matches have been played there since 1884.

The cricket ground is near the Old Trafford football stadium, in the borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester.

The two ends of the ground were known as the Warwick Road End (to the east) and the Stretford End (to the west). The section of Warwick Road leading to the Metrolink Station was renamed Brian Statham Way (in honour of the former Lancashire and England player) and this end of the ground is now known as the Brian Statham End.

As of 2006, its capacity is 22,000 for Test matches, for which temporary stands are erected, and 14,000 for other matches.

In 1956 Jim Laker was the first to take all 10 wickets in a Test match innings, ten for 53 in the fourth Test against Australia at Old Trafford (the only other bowler to take all 10 wickets is Anil Kumble of India in 1999). Having also taken nine for 37 in the first innings, Laker’s match bowling figures were nineteen for 90.

In 1993, Old Trafford was the site of one of the most remarkable events in the history of cricket, Shane Warne’s so-called Ball of the Century to Mike Gatting.

Future plans:

The need for an improved ground was highlighted when Old Trafford surprisingly lost out as a venue for the 2009 Ashes to Cardiff, much to the disappointment of cricket fans in the region. A financial plan is awaited for the redevelopment, costed at £30m.

(source .. wikipedia) reproduced under GFDL

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Lancashire County Cricket Club
Old Trafford wikipedia entry
England and Wales Cricket Board – ECB
BBC cricket coverage

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