The fourth Test between England and India at Old Trafford was always expected to bring drama on the pitch.
But even before a ball was bowled on day one, the scene outside the stadium was already chaotic—with thousands of fans stuck in long queues, missing the opening moments of play.
As England chase a comeback in this gripping five-match series, everything from crowd control to cricket legends in commentary has become part of the conversation.
Late Arrivals Blamed on Fans—But Is That the Full Story?
Lancashire County Cricket Club didn’t hold back when asked why there were so many empty seats visible at the start of the day. Their response? Fans arrived too late.
According to the club, around 9,000 supporters turned up close to the 11am start despite the club’s pleas for early arrival.
The situation outside the ground was hectic.
Fans posted pictures of the snaking lines stretching down Brian Statham Way and onto Talbot Road.
The Barmy Army even posted an image on X (formerly Twitter) jokingly explaining the empty seats inside by pointing to the packed crowds outside.
In a follow-up statement, the club apologised and promised to open more gates for the remaining days of the Test.
They also urged supporters to avoid bringing bags unless absolutely necessary, as bag searches were causing significant delays.
Gates, they reminded everyone, would now open from 9am to help ease the congestion.
But not everyone was convinced. One angry supporter shared their frustration, comparing it to the speedy two-minute entry at Lord’s the week before.
Another fan sarcastically remarked about the ordeal online: “Arrived at 09:45.
Still stuck in a queue that’s moving slower than a snail. Paid over £100 for this ticket.”
Ricky Ponting Returns to the Scene of His Manchester Masterclass
In a delightful blast from the past, Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting joined Sky Sports’ commentary box at Old Trafford—returning to a ground where he once delivered one of his finest Test innings.
Back in the unforgettable 2005 Ashes, Ponting’s gritty hundred in the fourth innings saved Australia from defeat at this very venue.
Although he was eventually dismissed, the tailenders Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath clung on to secure a draw, leading to wild celebrations from the Aussies.
That match kept the series alive and sent both sides into the fourth Test locked at 1-1.
Celebrating a Classic: BBC Recreates the 2005 Ashes Glory
To mark the 20th anniversary of England’s epic 2005 Ashes win, the BBC has produced something truly unique.
A collaboration between Test Match Special and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, titled The 2005 Ashes: Settling the Score, combines classical music, match commentary, and storytelling to relive that iconic summer.
The programme, narrated by actor Charles Dance, blends works from Prokofiev, Bizet, and Mendelssohn with the sounds of cricketing triumph and tension.
Available on BBC Sounds and set to air on Radio 5 Live, it offers a fresh spin on a well-loved story.
Producer Tim Peach admitted the challenge was to present a familiar tale in an entirely new light.
Josh Tongue Heads Back to County Cricket Mid-Series
While the national spotlight remains on the Test, England seamer Josh Tongue found himself packing for a county game instead.
Having played in the first two Tests of the series, Tongue wasn’t selected for the matches at Lord’s or Old Trafford.
So, before day one began, he hit the road for Southampton to play for Nottinghamshire against Hampshire.
His journey, though a four-hour drive, was still less extreme than the one faced by Yorkshire’s Will Luxton.
The young batsman had been playing in a county select XI in Beckenham but got an unexpected call to head to Scarborough the night before a match due to visa delays involving Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq.
Luxton didn’t arrive until the early hours—but still turned up and delivered a solid 71 against Surrey that same afternoon.
Old Trafford’s Massive Party Stand Steals the Spotlight
One thing that stood out—besides the cricket—was Old Trafford’s colossal party stand.
It’s a temporary structure, but there’s nothing modest about it.
With 71 rows, it can seat around 8,000 fans, which amusingly is more than double the total number of men and women who have ever played Test cricket combined (still under 4,000).
Lancashire Legend Neil Fairbrother Gets the Bell Honour
On the second morning of the Test, a familiar Lancashire face rang the traditional five-minute bell.
Neil Fairbrother, who now represents stars like Ben Stokes and Joe Root as a player agent, was asked to perform the honour thanks to his legendary career with the county—no one has featured in more Lord’s finals for Lancashire than him.
What’s Coming Up?
As the fourth Test continues, all eyes will remain on both the on-field action and off-field buzz—from commentary legends to the logistics team trying to avoid another fan entry meltdown.
Whatever happens, the drama at Old Trafford is far from over.