Iconic Test Cricket Moments at Old Trafford

The fourth Rothesay Test between England and India begins on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester. India’s narrow loss in the third Test has made this a virtual do-or-die contest.

Old Trafford, situated south of Manchester city centre, forms a famous sporting double act with the "other" Old Trafford. Old Trafford has hosted Tests since 1884 and is thus one of the oldest cricket grounds of England.The ground has witnessed some of the most memorable moments in Test history. 

• Jim Laker’s 19/90 vs Australia (1956): The only time a bowler has taken 19 wickets in a single Test match—an unmatched feat in cricket history.
• First One-Day Match (1963): The Gillette Cup kicked off limited-overs cricket here on May 1, setting the stage for a new era.
• Sachin Tendulkar’s First Test Century (1990): A 17-year-old Tendulkar scored a heroic 119* to save the match—his maiden hundred and a sign of greatness to come.
• Shane Warne’s “Ball of the Century” (1993): A magical delivery to Mike Gatting that stunned the cricket world and redefined leg-spin.
• Double 100th Test Milestone (2000): England legends Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart both celebrated their 100th Test match here against the West Indies.
• Bio-Secure Bubble Venue (2020): During the pandemic, Old Trafford hosted behind-closed-doors Tests against West Indies and Pakistan, setting new standards for cricket operations.
• Only English Ground with Two Abandoned Tests: Rain wiped out matches in 1890 and 1938—without a single ball bowled.
• Pitch Rotation (2005–2013): The playing square was rotated 90 degrees to a north-south axis to address visibility issues from the setting sun.