THEN & NOW OLD TRAFFORD

Welcome to Then and Now, where each week we compare images of Manchester streets, landmarks and buildings from bygone days with how they look today

OUR main image this week shows the touring Australian cricket team playing England in the Ashes Test series at Old Trafford. The date is July 1934.

It is a glorious reminder of a time when major sports events were not curtailed by Covid restrictions.

Old Trafford was the venue for the third Ashes Test with the series level at one match apiece.

England had won at Lords by an innings and 38 runs, while Australia had triumphed at Trent Bridge by 238 runs.

The Old Trafford Test ended in a draw with England declaring on 627 for nine wickets in their first innings. Australia made 491 in reply.

Chasing victory, England declared again on 123, but Australia batted out the final day losing only one wicket.

The five-match Ashes series was eventually won by Australia 2-1.

At the crease at Old Trafford is England batsman Cyril Walters, playing a shot off the bowling of Tim Wall.

Born in Wales, Walters made 11 Test appearances for England.

Our modern Ashes image, from August 2005, shows Lancashire and England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff celebrating after taking the wicket of Matthew Hayden.

The Old Trafford Test match ended in a draw, but England later regained the Ashes by taking the overall series 2-1.

The Old Trafford ground was opened as the home of Manchester Cricket Club in 1857.

Lancashire County Cricket Club have played there since 1864.

● Many more images from Then and Now are featured in The Changing Face of Manchester published to mark the 150th anniversary of the M.E.N. It’s on sale at £14.99 including postage and packing. Order your copy online at inostalgia.co.uk or ring the order hotline on 01928 503777.