Old Trafford, Manchester  Pic: Allsport UK / Allsport

Home of England's premier football team Manchester United, the city has been getting a huge facelift since the 1996 bombings.

The ground has an interesting pavilion, whicch was originaly a field hospital during World War one, and the subject of massive bombings during World War II. While its original character has been maintained, a recent £2.7 million hotel development has given it a touch of modernity, with 30 of the rooms having balconies looking out on the cricket pitch.

Home of the pop group Oasis, the region is a gourmet's paradise, with Chinese food being the highlight in a multi-racial, multi-cultural smorgasbord.

Schedule: 30 May, West Indies v Australia
                Super Six stage - 8 June, Group A 2nd v Group B 1st
                Semi-final - 16 June, Team 1 v Team 4

Cricket history:
Total LOI matches: 26
First LOI match: England v Australia, 24-8-1972
Last LOI match: England v South Africa, 23-5-1998
Highest team total: 295-8 (55 overs) by England v Pakistan, 19-7-1982
Lowest team total: 45 (40.3 overs) by Canada v England, 14-6-1979
Hundreds: 6
Highest score: 189* by Viv Richards for West Indies v England, 31-5-1984
Five-wicket hauls: Nil
Best bowling: 4-8 by Chris Old for England v Canada, 14-6-1979

Been there, done that? Tell us about it...

Do you live near one of the venues? Watched any matches at the grounds where the World Cup will be played? Know any interesting stories, anecdotes, about the grounds, the region, the local people? Share them with us, using the link given below...

Grounds