In 1856 Manchester cricket club were evicted from their ground on the Chester road, in the district of Old Trafford on the civic insistence that the site was needed for an art treasures exhibition. Less than a mile away they found 8 acres of `good, level, sandy land` with a pavilion, well suited to the purposes for which it will be used, having an excellent wine cellar. From this has grown the extensive home of Lancashire Cricket, at which tests have been played since 1884. Old Trafford has maintained that early belief in suitability for its purpose. For players the amenities are satisfying to a degree of luxury; the turf is smooth and kind to the feet, the light is soft and clear, dressing room accommodation is ample and private and nets are readily available on the practice ground. For spectators access is easy and there is ample car-parking facilities. There is seating for 20,000 as well as improvisation on the grass, and a comfortable view of scoreboard and clock from any point of the ground. The pavilion has a conventional long room on the ground floor, committee rooms and dressing rooms on the first floor and a roof balcony with covered seats for the members. In 1902 the test match brought a golden beginning with Victor Trumpeters century before lunch and a fantastic end with Australia's victory by 3 runs. In 1934, the test was laboriously drawn, but contained that immortal over when O`Reilly dismissed, on a flawless pitch, Walter, Wyatt, and Hammond in 4 deliveries. Ranjitsinhji`s 154 NO made magic in 1896 and 40 years later Hammonds 167 against India earned gratitude from the devastated opponents who proclaimed themselves privileged to be both the means and witness to it. Lancastrians are remarkably level-headed in their approach to cricket, as with any aspect of business or pleasure, and they rightly favour their own. Lancashire players in recent years have received the biggest benefits known in their time; a county match not a test drew the biggest crowd to Old Trafford (or any other ground in England). At the out-break of WWII, Old Trafford was commandeered by the army for resting soldiers on their return from Dunkirk and was later taken over by the ministry for supply. It was severely damaged during the war, but happily has been restored to it former glory.