Manchester's 'other Old Trafford' is getting ready for fourth India vs England Test

TimesofIndia.com in Manchester: There is no need for asking directions these days thanks to the numerous navigation apps but the traditionalist in me loves the personal touch, the adventure of following an individual's unique way of drawing you a map.

Thanks to the signage, and then the floodlights, it's difficult to ignore the Old Trafford Cricket Ground but the numerous queries, all while playing ignorant, get you closer to "ground" reality in the city.All hands point towards the football stadium in Stretford and when you get there, and act uninformed again, even the security guard laughs it off. "Oh you wanted to go to the other Old Trafford?," chuckled Phil, who is a security guard at the Old Trafford football ground.

It is a weekday and there are only a handful taking the stadium tour, priced at GBP 28 (approximately Rs 3,200) each for adults. Phil, into his seventeenth year at the facility, is taking a nice stroll and enjoying the breeze.

There is some activity in the official merchandise store but it's the discounted outlet, located near the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, which attracts most of the visitors. When you come back from a little tour checking the jerseys, caps, socks and other collectibles, Phil is still there.

"Is any cricket happening here?," he asks. When informed about the ongoing Test series, he shares a very disinterested look and claims, "when the roads are jammed, that's when we know there is cricket happening. I don't think both Old Traffords have had matches on the same day. Not sure but it will be a nightmare for sure. The Council does the diversion and all on match days so it's easier to spot then."

On the lazy Wednesday afternoon, the floodlights of the cricket facility are easily spotted from the bridge connecting the football stadium to the main road.

The road connecting the two has plenty of red on the walls, a giant poster for the "Pride of Europe" and even a pub named "The Trafford".

The "other Old Trafford" wears a deserted look at the moment but most roads will lead to it when the Test gets underway on July 23. Both India and England are yet to get here but the preparations at the venue are underway for hosting its biggest game of the season. The fourth Test will be its moment under the sun and for a change, all hands and navigation alerts will be pointed towards the Talbot Road direction, and not Stretford.