England v South Africa, First Test, 24-28 July 2003
County Cricket Ground, Edgbaston Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham
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The ground was originally a meadow used as grazing land before its owner, Lord Calthorpe, authorised its lease for cricket purposes.
Edgbaston was recognised as a Test venue in 1902, however it hosted only four matches up until 1957, two of which were against South Africa.
But Warwickshire's 1951 Championship triumph provided new impetus, and with significant ground redevelopment, regular Test cricket finally arrived six years leter.
Memorably so, as England's highest-ever partnership - a fourth wicket stand of 411 between Peter May and Colin Cowdrey against the West Indies - saved the match and contributed to Sonny Ramadhin's ultra-marathon match analysis of 129-51-229-9.
Nearly 50 years on, Edgbaston is a regular on the Test rota, and is England's most successful home venue.
As well as watching their fair share of Test victories, the Warwickshire county faithful have also been rewarded with a sustained spell of domestic success.
The county won seven trophies between 1993 and 1997, the most successful period in their history, when such luminaries as Brian Lara and the two South African stalwarts Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock gave good service to the side. Lara hit a first-class record score of 501 on the ground in 1994, the last summer Edgbaston was not given a Test, coincidentally when South Africa were touring.
In total South Africa have played five Tests at Edgbaston but have yet to record a victory, losing two, with their last visit prior to the 2003 tour ending in a draw.
Since then the impressive new Eric Hollies Stand, right next door to the lively Ryder Stand, has taken the capacity to 22,000.
Stat pack39 Tests
England: 19 wins; 7 defeats; 13 draws
Highest score: 285*
Peter May; England v West Indies 1957
Best bowling (innings): 7-17
Wilfred Rhodes; England v Australia 1902
Best bowling (match): 12-119
Fred Trueman; England v West Indies 1963
Record partnership: 411
Peter May & Colin Cowdrey (4th wkt); England v W Indies 1957
 | FRINDALL'S FASCINATING FACT Venue of the first ball-by-ball radio commentary of a complete cricket match when BBC Radio broadcast the 1957 West Indies Test |
England v South AfricaFour Tests
England: 2 wins; 3 draws
Highest score:
Eng: 156; Michael Vaughan 2003
SA: 277; Graeme Smith 2003
Best bowling figures:
Eng: 6-7; Arthur Gilligan 1924
SA: 6-152; George Parker 1924
Best match figues:
Eng: 11-90 (6-7 & 5-83) Arthur Gilligan 1924
SA: 8-119 (5-62 & 3-57) Neil Adcock 1960
Record partnership:
Eng: 221 (2nd wkt); Herbert Sutcliffe & Walter Hammond 1929
SA: 338 (1st wkt); Herschelle Gibbs & Graeme Smith 2003
Directions
Situated in the heart of Britain, England's second city is on the M5, M6, M40 and M42 and has direct coach connections to more than 500 destinations. Edgbaston is 1� miles south of the city centre and is easily accesible from the M6 and the M40.
To reach the ground from the M6, leave at junction six, following signs for the A38(M) City Centre and then A38 south west through Queensway Tunnel, turning left at first traffic lights and then right at the roundabout onto the A441 (Pershore Road).
From the M40, join the M42 at junction three, taking the A435 through Kings Heath before turning left to Edgbaston.
The home of the first steam engine has direct services to cities around the country coming into New Street Station. And for those arriving at New Street, there is a free shuttle bus to Edgbaston both before and after the day's action. A taxi would cost in the region of �8.
Food & drink
For food after the day's play it is best to head to Moseley where there are a plentiful supply of Indian and Balti restaurants.
Further afield you could make the most of "local" delicacies and get lost in Sparkbrook's "Balti Triangle" - a choice of more than 50 restaurants just 10 minutes from the city centre.
Edgbaston is not world renowned for its pubs and a better bet is to make the short trip to Moseley or Selly Oak. Equally you could head back into town and get lost in the world's largest canal system, which means a plentiful supply of waterside pubs in Brindley Place and Gas Street Basin.
If it rains
Aside from museums, galleries and a sealife centre - as if you are not wet enough already - venture to Bournville. Cadbury World, "The Ultimate Chocolate Experience", is a must for chocaholics.
MMIX
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A wonderful place to play a Test - everyone's close to the action and there's a great atmosphere 
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