Old Trafford reorientation under way

Old Trafford will never be the same after work began to rotate the square by 90 degrees this week at the Manchester ground

Work to rotate the square at Old Trafford by 90 degrees, part of Lancashire’s redevelopment of their home, has begun.

Reorienting the square will address the issue of the setting sun stopping play throughout September, as happened in the final game of last season against Nottinghamshire.

The change will also increase the amount of wickets by five to 16.

Next season Lancashire will play their home LV= County Championship games at outgrounds in Liverpool, Blackpool and Southport, while one-day matches will be staged at Old Trafford.

Two NatWest Series one-day internationals, when England take on Sri Lanka and India, will also be played on the new wickets, with the latter expected to be played under the new permanent floodlights.

Following the opening of The Point, a new conference and events facility, the turning of the square marks the second phase of the redevelopment, which finally got the go-ahead from the government last week.

Next on the agenda will be the redevelopment of the pavilion, new stands, construction of a state-of-the-art media centre and players’ facilities, plus an extension to the ground’s cricket centre and public areas.

Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes said: “We are delighted that the government has reaffirmed its original decision, which has allowed us to press ahead with the work.

“The turning of our square is a historic moment for the club and is emblematic of our plans to make Old Trafford one of the leading sporting venues in the world.

“We will have no more occurrences of ‘good light stopping play’ in September and we will also have a number of new pitches that will enhance our prospects of hosting international matches in the future.”