Address: Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood, London NW8 8QN

Phone: 020-7432 1200

Name: Lord's

Also or formerly known as: Lord's Cricket Ground

Capacity: 28,000

End names: Pavilion End, Nursery End

Home Team: Marylebone Cricket Club, Middlesex

Directions: St John's Wood tube station (Jubilee Line) is half a mile away. Buses 13, 82 and 113 go to the east side of the ground, buses 139 and 189 stop near the south west corner and the 274 stops near the north end of the ground. Driving: From north - M1 on to A406. Follow signs for West End, Swiss Cottage and then to St John's Wood. From west - from A40 and M41 head for Central London - head for Paddington/ Euston - follow Edgware Road and then St John's Road will lead to ground.

According to many, Lord's is the home of English cricket, and is truly an arena for the new millennium. Its bubble shaped media centre, and some of its original architecture sit comfortably with each other to overlook the hallowed turf.

Lord's is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club and is named after Yorkshireman, Thomas Lord, who went to London and set up a private cricket club in 1787. He had to move the ground twice but eventually settled in the north-west of the English capital in St John's Wood having taken the original turf with him - the first game here was in 1814.

As well as hosting most of the Middlesex home games, many of the domestic finals involving English and Welsh clubs are played at this ground.

One of the most recognised landmarks at this ground is the 'Father Time' weather vane - it even survived being pulled down by a balloon cable during the Second World War.

The Kennington Oval had been at the forefront of staging Test matches until the tail end of the 19th century. It was not until 1884 that Lord's enjoyed its first Test clash between England and Australia - the hosts claimed victory by an innings and five runs. Just four years later England made their lowest total at this ground - a disappointing 53 against the Australians.

The year of 1930 saw the same visitors achieve their highest innings total at the ground. An impressive 729-6 declared, which included a 254 from Donald Bradman.

Lord's witnessed England bouncing back against Australia in 1934 with left-arm spinner Hedley Verity claiming an astonishing 15 wickets for 104 runs in the second Test of the series.

Australia's Glenn McGrath dazzled the Lord's crowd in 1997 with the best ever figures for an innings - eight wickets for 38 runs - but the two teams will have to go some way to match Aussie Bob Massie's phenomenal eight wickets in each of the innings at Lord's in 1972.