Old Trafford (cricket ground)

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Lancashire CCC - main entrance

Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester, England has been the home of Manchester Cricket Club since 1856 and of the Lancashire County Cricket Club since it was founded in 1864. International Test matches have been played there since 1884.

1 The ground
2 Notable moments
3 Future plans
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] The ground

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 15,000 for other matches. During the Ashes Series 2005, 45,000 fans turned up on the 5th day leading to many being locked out of the ground.

Old Trafford is officialy the wettest test cricket venue in the world. It has more rain days than anywhere else, which often affects Lancashire CCC games. Due to the poor drainage the ground is affectionately known as 'The Pond'.

[edit] Notable moments

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 Ball of the Century to Mike Gatting.

[edit] Future plans

Following a long period of discussions and rumours it has finally been decided to stay at Old Trafford[1]. Apparently, options on sites at East Manchester and Wigan were considered [2] but no comparative proposals were put to members.

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 [3]. A financial plan is awaited for the redevelopment, costed at £30m[4].

The Arctic Monkeys have also announced a major concert there in July 2007.