TimesofIndia.com in Manchester: There isn’t any want for asking instructions lately due to the quite a few navigation apps however the traditionalist in me loves the non-public contact, the journey of following a person’s distinctive approach of drawing you a map. Because of the signage, after which the floodlights, it is troublesome to disregard the Outdated Trafford Cricket Floor however the quite a few queries, all whereas taking part in ignorant, get you nearer to “floor” actuality within the metropolis.All arms level in the direction of the soccer stadium in Stretford and while you get there, and act uninformed once more, even the safety guard laughs it off. “Oh you needed to go to the opposite Outdated Trafford?,” chuckled Phil, who’s a safety guard on the Outdated Trafford soccer floor. It’s a weekday and there are solely a handful taking the stadium tour, priced at GBP 28 (roughly Rs 3,200) every for adults. Phil, into his seventeenth yr on the facility, is taking a pleasant stroll and having fun with the breeze.
A plaque exterior the Outdated Trafford Soccer Stadium remembering those that died within the Munich Air Catastrophe. (TimesofIndia.com)
There’s some exercise within the official merchandise retailer but it surely’s the discounted outlet, situated close to the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, which attracts many of the guests. If you come again from somewhat tour checking the jerseys, caps, socks and different collectibles, Phil continues to be there. “Is any cricket taking place right here?,” he asks. When knowledgeable in regards to the ongoing Check collection, he shares a really disinterested look and claims, “when the roads are jammed, that is once we know there may be cricket taking place. I do not suppose each Outdated Traffords have had matches on the identical day. Undecided however will probably be a nightmare for certain. The Council does the diversion and all on match days so it is simpler to identify then.”
With the soccer season but to get underway, The Trafford pub in Manchester wore a abandoned look. (TimesofIndia.com)
On the lazy Wednesday afternoon, the floodlights of the cricket facility are simply noticed from the bridge connecting the soccer stadium to the principle highway. The highway connecting the 2 has loads of purple on the partitions, an enormous poster for the “Pleasure of Europe” and even a pub named “The Trafford”.
Over the subsequent 10-odd days, focus will likely be on the Outdated Trafford Cricket Floor as England host India within the fourth Check of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. (TimesofIndia.com)
The “different Outdated Trafford” wears a abandoned look for the time being however most roads will result in it when the Check will get underway on July 23. Each India and England are but to get right here however the preparations on the venue are underway for internet hosting its largest recreation of the season. The fourth Check will likely be its second underneath the solar and for a change, all arms and navigation alerts will likely be pointed in the direction of the Talbot Street route, and never Stretford.
