Old Trafford (cricket)
Encyclopedia
Old Trafford is a cricket ground situated on Talbot Road in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester. It has been the home of Lancashire County Cricket Club
since its foundation in 1864, having been the ground of Manchester Cricket Club from 1857. International Test matches
have been played there since 1884.
estate. Despite the construction of a large pavilion (for the amateurs – the professionals used a shed at the opposite end of the ground), Old Trafford's first years were rocky: accessible only along a footpath from the Old Trafford station, the ground was situated out in the country, and games only attracted small crowds; it was not until the close Roses match
of 1875 that significant numbers attended a game. When W.G. Grace brought Gloucestershire
in 1878, Old Trafford saw 28,000 spectators over three days, and this provoked improvements to access and facilities.
In 1884, Old Trafford became the second English ground, after The Oval
, to stage test cricket – with the first day being lost to rain, England drew with Australia. Expansion of the ground followed over the next decade, with the decision being taken to construct a new pavilion in 1894.
The ground was purchased outright from the de Traffords in 1898, for £24,372, as crowds increased: over 50,000 spectators attended the 1899 test match.
Crowds fell through the early 20th Century, and the ground was closed during the First World War
; however, in the conflict's aftermath, Old Trafford's reputation as a cricketing arena again rose, with crowd numbers reaching new heights. Investment followed throughout the inter-war period, and during this time, Lancashire experienced their most successful run to date, gaining four Championship
titles in five years.
During the Second World War
, Old Trafford was used as a transit camp for troops returning from Dunkirk, and as a supply depot. In December 1940, the ground was hit by bombs, damaging or destroying several stands; the field also suffered craters. Despite this damage – and the failure of an appeal to raise funds for repairs – cricket resumed promptly after the war, with German PoWs being paid a small wage to prepare the ground. The 'Victory Test
' between England and Australia of August 1945 proved to be extremely popular, with 76,463 seeing it over three days.
Differences of opinion between the club's committee and players led to a bad run of form in the 1950s and early 1960s; this consequently saw gate money drop, and a lack of investment. After 1964, however, the situation was reversed, and 1969 saw the first Indoor Cricket Centre opened.
Following Lancashire's reign as One Day champions in the 1970s, a programme of renovation and replacement was initiated in 1981. This changed the face of the ground to the extent that, now, only the Pavilion “is recognisable to a visitor who last watched or played a game in, say, the early 1980s”.
football stadium (a five minute walk away down Warwick Road and Sir Matt Busby Way), in the borough of Trafford
in Greater Manchester
, approximately two miles south west of Manchester city centre. Its capacity is 22,000 for Test matches, for which temporary stands are erected, and 15,000 for other matches. Since 1884, it has hosted 73 Tests, the third highest number in England, behind Lord's and The Oval
.
The two ends of the ground are the Pavilion End to the north and the Brian Statham
End (formerly the Warwick Road End) to the south, renamed in honour of the former Lancashire and England player. The section of Warwick Road behind this end is also called Brian Statham
Way. Immediately abutting the ground to the south-east is the Old Trafford Metrolink station
.
The Pavilion's position is noteworthy in that it currently sits parallel to the wickets, rather than behind them. This presents the members with one of the worst viewing angles possible, so that many choose to forsake the building, to sit at either of the ground's Ends. The wickets now been altered so they face the pavillion.
It contains batting and bowling Honours Boards, unveiled during the 2004 test match.
Before Cardiff was used as a test match ground in July 2009, Old Trafford was seen as the wettest test ground in the country. Manchester, being to the west of the Pennines, receives much rain brought in from the Atlantic by the prevailing westerly breezes; Old Trafford is the only ground in England where a test match has been abandoned without a ball being bowled – and this has happened here twice. Often, after heavy rainfall, the pitch remained waterlogged, hindering play – and it was to prevent this that Lancashire, in 2008, laid new drains. Work began on 23 August, with the outfield being lifted and presented to fans. The ground was closed for the rest of the season, with Lancashire's remaining home games transferred to its outgrounds at Blackpool
and Aigburth, Liverpool, and the work was finished by November 2008.
Partly because of this rainfall, Lancashire were quick to acquire a Hover Cover – a cover acting on the hovercraft principle, allowing it to be moved quickly and easily, and the ground to be kept aerated while dry. This made its appearance for the 2007 season, and was the second in England, after a similar cover acquired for Lord's.
Work has already been completed on 'The Point', Old Trafford's distinctive £12 million conference centre. In 2009, the Stretford end of the ground was closed to facilitate destruction of the County Suite, Tyldesley Suite, 'K' and 'L' Stands and the scoreboard; The Point, one of the largest conference facilities in the North West, overshadowing new seating to the west of the pavilion, opened in June 2010.
During the 2010/11 winter the wickets were turned from their previous east–west axis to a more typical north–south alignment, which prevents the low evening sun from interfering with matches, and increased the number of available wickets by five, to sixteen. Many of Lancashire's home games for the 2011 season being transferred to out grounds while the new wickets 'bed in'.
The main planning process began in September 2008, but has faced stiff legal opposition. Since Tesco
pledged £21 million to the redevelopment, the stadium planning application included a request for a new supermarket nearby. Following a consultation period which drew significant numbers of both positive and negative views, Trafford Council gave this joint proposal full permission on 11 March 2010.
Following the 2010 General Election
, this decision was called in by the Communities Secretary for Judicial Review
, but this was dropped in September 2010. Derwent Holdings, a property development company denied permission to build a supermarket at the nearby White City retail park, then called for a Judicial Review, arguing that the application had been confused by the inclusion of the Tesco's store. This application was turned down by the High Court in March 2011, but Derwent Holdings took their case to the Court of Appeal. This was greeted with some disapproval, not only from LCCC and its partners, but also Manchester United and Manchester City, and celebrities such as Andrew Flintoff
. LCCC took the risky decision to begin work ahead of the matter being resolved, in order to qualify for grants from the North West Development Agency before it was wound up. However, the Court of Appeal ruled in LCCC's favour in July 2011, and denied leave to further appeal the decision.
Permanent floodlights were installed under this permission by June 2011, as well as a new video screen. The timescale for further development has been repeatedly pushed back but should, at latest estimates, begin in September 2011 (a year later than originally envisaged) and be completed in time for an Ashes test in 2013 – a test which LCCC has always planned to bid for, and placed at the heart of its arguments against delays.
This phase of redevelopment will see a new "Players, Media and Education" Pavilion built on the site of the Washbrook-Statham stand; members will continue to use the present Pavilion, which will have its sloped roof replaced with two modern glass storeys. At the same time, another building similar in design to The Point, and two 2-tiered cantilever stands, will be erected, flanking the new pavilion, and a canopy will be built over the Old Trafford Lodge, in order to standardise the ground's look.
, who from April to September usually play most of their home games on the ground; other games are played at Stanley Park
, Blackpool
and at Aigburth
in Liverpool
. Until 2008, Old Trafford commonly hosted a test match each year; between 2009 and 2012 none were scheduled due to sub-standard facilities, giving Lancashire CCC the chance to implement redevelopment. However, one of the 2010 Bangladesh tests was later transferred,, and it has been confirmed that Old Trafford will host an Ashes test in 2013, as well as further tests in 2014 and 2016. One Day Internationals and/or International Twenty20s
continue to be hosted every year.
being the third largest outdoor concert venue after Wembley Stadium
and the Millennium Stadium
. The concert capacity will increase to 65,000 after the Old Trafford redevelopment.
Hometown band Oasis
played at the ground in 2002. Richard Ashcroft
performed a homecoming gig, supported by Razorlight
, on 17 June 2006. The following day, Foo Fighters
played with support from The Strokes
, Angels & Airwaves
, The Subways
and Eagles of Death Metal
. On the 28–29 July 2007, Arctic Monkeys
hosted and headlined a "mini-festival" on the ground, supported by Supergrass
, The Coral
, The Parrots and Amy Winehouse
. It was also the venue for the Move Festival which took place between 2002 and 2004; artists who appeared over the three years included Green Day
, David Bowie
, Robbie Williams
, R.E.M.
, New Order
, The Cure
& Morrissey
. The ground also hosted Radiohead
on 29 June 2008 as part of their world tour. R.E.M.
played the venue again on 24 August 2008 as part of their 'Accelerate' tour. Take That
played five homecoming shows at the stadium in June 2009, in front of 50,000 each night, with The Script as their supporting acts. Coldplay
have announced that they will be playing there in September 2009. Green Day
returned on 16 June 2010 and performed in front of 65,000 fans. Muse
played there on 4 September 2010 with support from Editors
, Band of Skulls
and Pulled Apart by Horses
. On the 24 June Bon Jovi
will be playing the first major concert at Old Trafford in 2011
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
since its foundation in 1864, having been the ground of Manchester Cricket Club from 1857. International Test matches
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
have been played there since 1884.
Early history
The site was first used as a cricket ground in 1857, when the Manchester Cricket Club moved onto the meadows of the de TraffordDe Trafford Baronets
The de Trafford Baronetcy, of Trafford Park in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford, Greater Manchester, is a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. It was restored after the Catholic Emancipation, by Royal Decree on 7 September 1841, for Thomas de Trafford...
estate. Despite the construction of a large pavilion (for the amateurs – the professionals used a shed at the opposite end of the ground), Old Trafford's first years were rocky: accessible only along a footpath from the Old Trafford station, the ground was situated out in the country, and games only attracted small crowds; it was not until the close Roses match
Roses Match
The Roses Match refers to any game of cricket played between Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Lancashire County Cricket Club. Yorkshire's emblem is the white rose, while Lancashire's is the red rose. The associations go back to the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century...
of 1875 that significant numbers attended a game. When W.G. Grace brought Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Gloucestershire. Its limited overs team is called the Gloucestershire Gladiators....
in 1878, Old Trafford saw 28,000 spectators over three days, and this provoked improvements to access and facilities.
In 1884, Old Trafford became the second English ground, after The Oval
The Oval
The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...
, to stage test cricket – with the first day being lost to rain, England drew with Australia. Expansion of the ground followed over the next decade, with the decision being taken to construct a new pavilion in 1894.
The ground was purchased outright from the de Traffords in 1898, for £24,372, as crowds increased: over 50,000 spectators attended the 1899 test match.
Crowds fell through the early 20th Century, and the ground was closed during the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
; however, in the conflict's aftermath, Old Trafford's reputation as a cricketing arena again rose, with crowd numbers reaching new heights. Investment followed throughout the inter-war period, and during this time, Lancashire experienced their most successful run to date, gaining four Championship
County Championship
The County Championship is the domestic first-class cricket competition in England and Wales...
titles in five years.
During the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Old Trafford was used as a transit camp for troops returning from Dunkirk, and as a supply depot. In December 1940, the ground was hit by bombs, damaging or destroying several stands; the field also suffered craters. Despite this damage – and the failure of an appeal to raise funds for repairs – cricket resumed promptly after the war, with German PoWs being paid a small wage to prepare the ground. The 'Victory Test
Victory Tests
The Victory Tests were a series of cricket matches played in England from 19 May to 22 August 1945, between a combined Australian Services XI and an English national side...
' between England and Australia of August 1945 proved to be extremely popular, with 76,463 seeing it over three days.
Differences of opinion between the club's committee and players led to a bad run of form in the 1950s and early 1960s; this consequently saw gate money drop, and a lack of investment. After 1964, however, the situation was reversed, and 1969 saw the first Indoor Cricket Centre opened.
Following Lancashire's reign as One Day champions in the 1970s, a programme of renovation and replacement was initiated in 1981. This changed the face of the ground to the extent that, now, only the Pavilion “is recognisable to a visitor who last watched or played a game in, say, the early 1980s”.
The ground
The cricket ground is near the Old TraffordOld Trafford (football)
Old Trafford is a football stadium in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, and the home of Manchester United. With a capacity of 75,811, Old Trafford is the second-largest football stadium in England after Wembley, the third-largest in the United Kingdom and the eleventh-largest in Europe...
football stadium (a five minute walk away down Warwick Road and Sir Matt Busby Way), in the borough of Trafford
Trafford
The Metropolitan Borough of Trafford is a metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It has a population of 211,800, covers , and includes the towns of Altrincham, Partington, Sale, Stretford, and Urmston...
in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, approximately two miles south west of Manchester city centre. Its capacity is 22,000 for Test matches, for which temporary stands are erected, and 15,000 for other matches. Since 1884, it has hosted 73 Tests, the third highest number in England, behind Lord's and The Oval
The Oval
The Kia Oval, still commonly referred to by its original name of The Oval, is an international cricket ground in Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth. In the past it was also sometimes called the Kennington Oval...
.
The two ends of the ground are the Pavilion End to the north and the Brian Statham
Brian Statham
John Brian "George" Statham, CBE was one of the leading English fast bowlers in 20th-century English cricket. Initially a bowler of a brisk fast-medium pace, Statham was able to remodel his action to generate enough speed to become genuinely fast...
End (formerly the Warwick Road End) to the south, renamed in honour of the former Lancashire and England player. The section of Warwick Road behind this end is also called Brian Statham
Brian Statham
John Brian "George" Statham, CBE was one of the leading English fast bowlers in 20th-century English cricket. Initially a bowler of a brisk fast-medium pace, Statham was able to remodel his action to generate enough speed to become genuinely fast...
Way. Immediately abutting the ground to the south-east is the Old Trafford Metrolink station
Old Trafford Metrolink station
Old Trafford Metrolink station is a station on the Metrolink light rail network in Greater Manchester, England. It is located on Warwick Road and Elsinore Road and serves Firswood, Old Trafford and Stretford....
.
The Pavilion
The three-tiered Victorian members' pavilion – the last part of the ground dating from that era – was built in 1895 for £10,000. Hit by a bomb in 1940 – which destroyed the Members' Dining Room and groundsman's quarters – most of the pavilion was rebuilt. £1 million was spent on a new roof after it began to leak in 2003.The Pavilion's position is noteworthy in that it currently sits parallel to the wickets, rather than behind them. This presents the members with one of the worst viewing angles possible, so that many choose to forsake the building, to sit at either of the ground's Ends. The wickets now been altered so they face the pavillion.
It contains batting and bowling Honours Boards, unveiled during the 2004 test match.
The Old Trafford Lodge
In 1999, the Old Trafford Lodge was opened, bringing to fruition a concept from 1981. The hotel has 68 rooms, 36 of which command unobstructed views of the playing surface* – an unusual use of space, but one which has proved to be extremely successful, generating income all year round.Other buildings
Old Trafford is also unusual in that there are two media stands, at opposite ends of the ground. The press writers, until 1984, used a small box described by Derek Hodgson as “a wart on the face of Venus”; this was replaced by the Neville Cardus Gallery, on top of the Red Rose Suite at the Brian Statham End. Their television and radio counterparts, meanwhile, operate in a television studio and commentary boxes at the Stretford End – facilities which are, again, perched on hospitality boxes.Cricket practice school
The idea of an indoor school was born in 1951, when nets were strung up in the Members' Dining Room in the pavilion. A permanent facility was built in 1969, and replaced in 1997. The current building stands to the north-west of the pitch, just behind the area used for temporary stands; it contains five 60 metre lanes on various surfaces, several conference rooms, and a large shop.Other notable features
Very unusually in a test match ground, the Old Trafford wickets are laid along an East-West axis. This has often caused problems for batsmen at the Brian Statham End as the sun sets.Before Cardiff was used as a test match ground in July 2009, Old Trafford was seen as the wettest test ground in the country. Manchester, being to the west of the Pennines, receives much rain brought in from the Atlantic by the prevailing westerly breezes; Old Trafford is the only ground in England where a test match has been abandoned without a ball being bowled – and this has happened here twice. Often, after heavy rainfall, the pitch remained waterlogged, hindering play – and it was to prevent this that Lancashire, in 2008, laid new drains. Work began on 23 August, with the outfield being lifted and presented to fans. The ground was closed for the rest of the season, with Lancashire's remaining home games transferred to its outgrounds at Blackpool
Stanley Park, Blackpool
Stanley Park is a municipal park in the town of Blackpool on the Fylde coast in the county of Lancashire, England. It is the largest park in the town, bounded by a roughly circular perimeter of 2.2 miles and covering an area of...
and Aigburth, Liverpool, and the work was finished by November 2008.
Partly because of this rainfall, Lancashire were quick to acquire a Hover Cover – a cover acting on the hovercraft principle, allowing it to be moved quickly and easily, and the ground to be kept aerated while dry. This made its appearance for the 2007 season, and was the second in England, after a similar cover acquired for Lord's.
Notable moments at Old Trafford
- 1902 – The Australian Victor TrumperVictor TrumperVictor Thomas Trumper was an Australian cricketer known as the most stylish and versatile batsman of the Golden Age of cricket, capable of playing match-winning innings on wet wickets his contemporaries found unplayable. Archie MacLaren said of him, "Compared to Victor I was a cab-horse to a Derby...
hit a hundred before lunch on the first day; Australia went on to win the Test by 3 runs – the third closest Test result in history.
- 1909 – Frank LaverFrank LaverFrank Jonas Laver Frank Jonas Laver Frank Jonas Laver (7 December 1869, Castlemaine, Victoria 24 September 1919, East Melbourne, Victoria was an Australian cricketer who played in 15 Tests from 1899 to 1909....
, the Australian player/manager, took 8–31 in the drawn Test.
- 1930 – 1948 – Donald BradmanDonald BradmanSir Donald George Bradman, AC , often referred to as "The Don", was an Australian cricketer, widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time...
played three Tests at Old Trafford, scoring just 81 runs at 27.00 – his innings being 14 (1930), 30 (1934) and 7 and 30* (1948). He told Bill FrindallBill FrindallWilliam Howard Frindall, MBE was an English cricket scorer and statistician. He was familiar to cricket followers from his appearances on the BBC Radio 4 programme Test Match Special, nicknamed the Bearded Wonder by Brian Johnston for his ability to research the most obscure cricketing facts in...
that the light was always so bad that he couldn't see the ball.
- 1938 – The second abandoned test, due to rain. In a desperate effort to ensure play, the groundstaff move the turf from the practice pitch to the square – a unique attempt.
- 1956 – Jim LakerJim LakerJames "Jim" Charles Laker was a cricketer who played for England in the 1950s, known for "Laker's match" in 1956 at Old Trafford, when he took nineteen wickets in England's victory against Australia...
became the first person to take all 10 wickets in a Test match innings, achieving figures of 10 for 53 in the fourth Test against AustraliaAustralian cricket teamThe Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. It is the joint oldest team in Test cricket, having played in the first Test match in 1877...
(the only other bowler to take all 10 wickets is Anil KumbleAnil KumbleAnil Kumble is a former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian Test cricket team. He is a right-arm leg spin bowler and a right-hand batsman. He is currently the leading wicket-taker for India in both Test and One Day International matches...
of IndiaIndian cricket teamThe Indian cricket team is the national cricket team of India. Governed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India , it is a full member of the International Cricket Council with Test and One Day International status....
in 1999). Having also taken 9 for 37 in the first inningsInningsAn inning, or innings, is a fixed-length segment of a game in any of a variety of sports – most notably cricket and baseball during which one team attempts to score while the other team attempts to prevent the first from scoring. In cricket, the term innings is both singular and plural and is...
, Laker ended the match with record figures of 19 for 90, which remain unmatched to this day.
- 1961 – With England firmly in control going into the fourth day, Richie BenaudRichie BenaudRichard "Richie" Benaud OBE is a former Australian cricketer who, since his retirement from international cricket in 1964, has become a highly regarded commentator on the game....
refused to be beaten, and took 6–70 to win Australia the game. The great Lancashire and England player Brian StathamBrian StathamJohn Brian "George" Statham, CBE was one of the leading English fast bowlers in 20th-century English cricket. Initially a bowler of a brisk fast-medium pace, Statham was able to remodel his action to generate enough speed to become genuinely fast...
, also took his only test 'five for' on his home ground.
- 1963 – On 1 May, the first ever one day cricket match took place at Old Trafford, as the Gillette Cup was launched. Lancashire played and beat Leicestershire in a preliminary knock-out game, as 16th and 17th finishers in the Championship the previous year, to decide who would fill the 16th spot in the one-day competition.
- 1971 – The Gillette Cup semi-final between LancashireLancashire County Cricket ClubLancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
and GloucestershireGloucestershire County Cricket ClubGloucestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Gloucestershire. Its limited overs team is called the Gloucestershire Gladiators....
was played in near-darkness. With the time approaching 8.45 pm on July 28 and 25 runs still needed from the five remaining overs, David HughesDavid Hughes (cricketer)David Paul Hughes is an English former cricketer. Though he never played for England, he was a stalwart of the Lancashire side for more than two decades, making 10,419 first-class runs. Though he batted right-handed, he also took 655 wickets with his left-arm spin.Hughes was born in...
hit 24 off a single over and set up a notable Lancashire victory.
- 1981 – Ian Botham hit 118, including six sixes (the second greatest number in an Ashes innings), which he himself calls "one of the three innings I would like to tell my grandchildren about".
- 1984 – Sir Vivian Richards scored his notable 189 not out for the West IndiesWest Indian cricket teamThe West Indian cricket team, also known colloquially as the West Indies or the Windies, is a multi-national cricket team representing a sporting confederation of 15 mainly English-speaking Caribbean countries, British dependencies and non-British dependencies.From the mid 1970s to the early 1990s,...
in the first one-day international for the Texaco TrophyTexaco TrophyThe Texaco Trophy was the name used for One Day International cricket tournaments held in England from 1984 until 1998.The series were sponsored by American oil company Texaco replacing the previous sponsorship by Prudential...
against England. Batting at number four, Richards had made 95 when he was joined by the last batsman Michael HoldingMichael HoldingMichael Anthony Holding is a former West Indian cricketer. One of the fastest bowlers ever to play Test cricket, he was nicknamed 'Whispering Death' by umpires due to his quiet approach to the bowling crease...
with the West Indies in a parlous position at 166 for 9. Together they added 106 unbeaten runs for the final wicket in the 55 over match. Richards hammered 21 foursBoundary (cricket)Boundary has two distinct meanings in the sport of cricket:# the edge or boundary of the playing field, and# a manner of scoring runs.-Edge of the field:...
and 5 sixesBoundary (cricket)Boundary has two distinct meanings in the sport of cricket:# the edge or boundary of the playing field, and# a manner of scoring runs.-Edge of the field:...
. West Indies won the match convincingly by 104 runs.
- 1990 – Sachin TendulkarSachin TendulkarSachin Ramesh Tendulkar is an Indian cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He is the leading run-scorer and century maker in Test and one-day international cricket. He is the only male player to score a double century in the history of ODI cricket...
scored his first Test hundred at the age of 17 – becoming the second youngest centurion – to help India draw the Test.
- 1993 – Shane WarneShane WarneShane Keith Warne is a former Australian international cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the game. In 2000, he was selected by a panel of cricket experts as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, the only specialist bowler selected in the quintet...
's "Ball of the CenturyBall of the CenturyThe Ball of the Century, also referred to as the Gatting Ball or simply That Ball, is the name given to a cricket delivery bowled by Australia's Shane Warne to England's Mike Gatting. The event occurred on day two of the first Test of the 1993 Ashes series, which took place at Old Trafford,...
" to Mike GattingMike GattingMichael "Mike" William Gatting OBE is a former English cricketer, who played first-class cricket for Middlesex and for England from 1977 to 1995, captaining the national side in twenty-three Test matches between 1986 and 1988...
. In the same game, Graham GoochGraham GoochGraham Alan Gooch OBE DL is a former cricketer who captained Essex and England. He was one of the most successful international batsmen of his generation, and through a career spanning from 1973 until 2000, he became the most prolific run scorer of all time with 67,057 runs...
was out handled the ballHandled the ballHandled the ball is a method of dismissal in the sport of cricket.-Definition:Law 33 of the Laws of cricket provides that:"Either batsman is out Handled the ball if he wilfully touches the ball while in play with a hand or hands not holding the bat unless he does so with the consent of the opposing...
for 133 – only the fifth out of seven times this has ever happened.
- 2000 – Michael Atherton and Alec StewartAlec StewartAlec James Stewart OBE is a retired English cricketer, a right-handed batsman-wicketkeeper and former captain of the England cricket team...
played their hundredth Tests, against the West Indies.
- 2005 – The third Test of the Ashes series2005 Ashes seriesThe 2005 Ashes series was that year's edition of the long-standing and storied cricket rivalry between England and Australia. Starting on 21 July 2005, England and Australia played five Tests, with the Ashes held by Australia as the most recent victors...
ended in a nailbiting draw, with thousands of fans shut out of the ground on the final day as tickets were sold out.
- 2010–11 – The wickets are relaid, changing their extremely unusual East-West axis to a more conventional North-South layout. The Brian Statham End to the East, and Stretford End to the West, are replaced by the Pavilion End to the North, and the Brian Statham End to the South.
Redevelopment 2003–2013
Following rejection of plans, in 2003, to sell Old Trafford, and move the club to a new purpose-built stadium in East Manchester, the focus was switched to upgrading the current ground. Lancashire CCC, with a coalition of businesses, are in the process of making the cricket ground the centre of an anticipated 750000 sq ft (69,677.3 m²) development, in a mixed-use scheme involving business, residential, retail, hotel and leisure facilities.Work has already been completed on 'The Point', Old Trafford's distinctive £12 million conference centre. In 2009, the Stretford end of the ground was closed to facilitate destruction of the County Suite, Tyldesley Suite, 'K' and 'L' Stands and the scoreboard; The Point, one of the largest conference facilities in the North West, overshadowing new seating to the west of the pavilion, opened in June 2010.
During the 2010/11 winter the wickets were turned from their previous east–west axis to a more typical north–south alignment, which prevents the low evening sun from interfering with matches, and increased the number of available wickets by five, to sixteen. Many of Lancashire's home games for the 2011 season being transferred to out grounds while the new wickets 'bed in'.
The main planning process began in September 2008, but has faced stiff legal opposition. Since Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
pledged £21 million to the redevelopment, the stadium planning application included a request for a new supermarket nearby. Following a consultation period which drew significant numbers of both positive and negative views, Trafford Council gave this joint proposal full permission on 11 March 2010.
Following the 2010 General Election
2010 general election
2010 general election may refer to:* Anguillan general election, 2010* Australian federal election, 2010* Bougainvillean general election, 2010* Brazilian general election, 2010* Burmese general election, 2010* Cook Islands general election, 2010...
, this decision was called in by the Communities Secretary for Judicial Review
Judicial review
Judicial review is the doctrine under which legislative and executive actions are subject to review by the judiciary. Specific courts with judicial review power must annul the acts of the state when it finds them incompatible with a higher authority...
, but this was dropped in September 2010. Derwent Holdings, a property development company denied permission to build a supermarket at the nearby White City retail park, then called for a Judicial Review, arguing that the application had been confused by the inclusion of the Tesco's store. This application was turned down by the High Court in March 2011, but Derwent Holdings took their case to the Court of Appeal. This was greeted with some disapproval, not only from LCCC and its partners, but also Manchester United and Manchester City, and celebrities such as Andrew Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff
Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff MBE is a former English cricketer who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club, England and the Indian Premier League team Chennai Super Kings. A tall fast bowler, batsman and slip fielder, Flintoff according to the ICC rankings was consistently rated amongst the top...
. LCCC took the risky decision to begin work ahead of the matter being resolved, in order to qualify for grants from the North West Development Agency before it was wound up. However, the Court of Appeal ruled in LCCC's favour in July 2011, and denied leave to further appeal the decision.
Permanent floodlights were installed under this permission by June 2011, as well as a new video screen. The timescale for further development has been repeatedly pushed back but should, at latest estimates, begin in September 2011 (a year later than originally envisaged) and be completed in time for an Ashes test in 2013 – a test which LCCC has always planned to bid for, and placed at the heart of its arguments against delays.
This phase of redevelopment will see a new "Players, Media and Education" Pavilion built on the site of the Washbrook-Statham stand; members will continue to use the present Pavilion, which will have its sloped roof replaced with two modern glass storeys. At the same time, another building similar in design to The Point, and two 2-tiered cantilever stands, will be erected, flanking the new pavilion, and a canopy will be built over the Old Trafford Lodge, in order to standardise the ground's look.
Cricket
The ground is used heavily throughout the summer by Lancashire County Cricket ClubLancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
, who from April to September usually play most of their home games on the ground; other games are played at Stanley Park
Stanley Park, Blackpool
Stanley Park is a municipal park in the town of Blackpool on the Fylde coast in the county of Lancashire, England. It is the largest park in the town, bounded by a roughly circular perimeter of 2.2 miles and covering an area of...
, Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
and at Aigburth
Aigburth
Aigburth is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. Located to the south of the city, it is bordered by Dingle, Mossley Hill, and Garston.-History:...
in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
. Until 2008, Old Trafford commonly hosted a test match each year; between 2009 and 2012 none were scheduled due to sub-standard facilities, giving Lancashire CCC the chance to implement redevelopment. However, one of the 2010 Bangladesh tests was later transferred,, and it has been confirmed that Old Trafford will host an Ashes test in 2013, as well as further tests in 2014 and 2016. One Day Internationals and/or International Twenty20s
Twenty20 International
A Twenty20 International is a form of cricket which is played over 20 overs per side between two national cricket teams. The game is played under the rules of Twenty20 cricket...
continue to be hosted every year.
Musical venue
The ground is occasionally used as a venue for large-scale concerts with a maximum capacity of 50,000. The ground is one of a number of largest concert venues in Manchester, the MEN Arena being the largest indoor arena in Europe and the City of Manchester StadiumCity of Manchester Stadium
The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England – also known as the Etihad Stadium for sponsorship purposes– is the home ground of...
being the third largest outdoor concert venue after Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
and the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
. The concert capacity will increase to 65,000 after the Old Trafford redevelopment.
Hometown band Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
played at the ground in 2002. Richard Ashcroft
Richard Ashcroft
Richard Paul Ashcroft is an English singer-songwriter. He was the lead singer and occasional guitarist of alternative rock band The Verve from their formation in 1990 until their split in 1999, and continues as a lead vocalist working with guitars and keyboards...
performed a homecoming gig, supported by Razorlight
Razorlight
Razorlight are a UK based indie rock band formed in 2002. They are primarily known in the UK, having topped the charts with the 2006 single "America" and its parent self-titled album, their second...
, on 17 June 2006. The following day, Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
played with support from The Strokes
The Strokes
The Strokes are an American indie rock band formed in 1999 in New York City. Consisting of Julian Casablancas , Nick Valensi , Albert Hammond, Jr. , Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti ....
, Angels & Airwaves
Angels & Airwaves
Angels & Airwaves is an American alternative rock supergroup led by Blink-182 guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge, also including guitarist David Kennedy from Over My Dead Body, Hazen Street and Box Car Racer, bass guitarist Matt Wachter from 30 Seconds to Mars and former Lostprophets and Nine Inch...
, The Subways
The Subways
The Subways are an English alternative rock / indie rock band. Their debut album, Young For Eternity, was released on 4 July 2005 in the UK and February 14, 2006 in the U.S. Their second album, All or Nothing, was released on 30 June 2008 and their third album Money and Celebrity debuted on the...
and Eagles of Death Metal
Eagles of Death Metal
Eagles of Death Metal is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, formed in 1998 by Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme. Despite their band name, Eagles of Death Metal are not a death metal band. Hughes stated that a friend was introducing Josh Homme to the death metal genre...
. On the 28–29 July 2007, Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
hosted and headlined a "mini-festival" on the ground, supported by Supergrass
Supergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
, The Coral
The Coral
The Coral are an English band formed in 1996 in Hoylake on the Wirral Peninsula in England. The band first emerged during the early 2000s and found success with their debut album The Coral and follow up Magic and Medicine...
, The Parrots and Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
. It was also the venue for the Move Festival which took place between 2002 and 2004; artists who appeared over the three years included Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
, R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
, The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
& Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
. The ground also hosted Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
on 29 June 2008 as part of their world tour. R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
played the venue again on 24 August 2008 as part of their 'Accelerate' tour. Take That
Take That
Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
played five homecoming shows at the stadium in June 2009, in front of 50,000 each night, with The Script as their supporting acts. Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
have announced that they will be playing there in September 2009. Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
returned on 16 June 2010 and performed in front of 65,000 fans. Muse
Muse (band)
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...
played there on 4 September 2010 with support from Editors
Editors
Editors are a British indie rock band based in Birmingham, who formed in 2002. Previously known as Pilot, The Pride and Snowfield, the band consists of Tom Smith , Chris Urbanowicz , Russell Leetch and Ed Lay .Editors have so far released two platinum studio...
, Band of Skulls
Band of Skulls
Band of Skulls is an alternative rock band from Southampton, England, consisting of Russell Marsden , Emma Richardson , and Matt Hayward...
and Pulled Apart by Horses
Pulled apart by horses
Pulled Apart by Horses are an alternative rock band from Leeds, England. They formed in late 2007, and released their debut self-titled album Pulled Apart By Horses on 21 June 2010.- Formation and debut release "Meat Balloon" :...
. On the 24 June Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
will be playing the first major concert at Old Trafford in 2011
Other
The Old Trafford Lodge is open all year round, acting as a 'normal' hotel when cricket isn't being played. Corporate hospitality is also available throughout the year – and The Point will be able to host large conferences from September 2010. Lancashire CCC also make a satisfactory profit by hiring out their large car parks, situated to the north and west of the ground – especially to fans watching football at the 'other' Old Trafford.See also
- Lancashire County Cricket Club in 2005Lancashire County Cricket Club in 2005Lancashire County Cricket Club played cricket in Division Two of the County Championship and Division One of the totesport League in the 2005 English cricket season. After their shock relegation last season, they were 11-10 favourites to win the Second Division of the Championship, and they...
- List of cricket grounds in England and Wales
- List of Test cricket grounds
- List of international cricket centuries at Old Trafford