In just a few hours, India and New Zealand will lock horns against each other in the first semi-finals of 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup at Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester.

Old Trafford is one of the oldest venues in the cricket world. The Old Trafford cricket ground is England's second oldest test venue after The Oval. It hosted the first Ashes Test in England in July 1884. Old Trafford has hosted the Cricket World Cup for as many as five time. Also, the venue has hosted a record four semi-finals in 1979, 1983, 1999 and 2019.

If you have been wondering how has India performed at the Old Trafford stadium, then the answer is - 'Not that great'! India has won five out of the 10 matches it played at the venue, while New Zealand has won two out of the total 10 match played at the venue. The highest win margin India saw at the stadium is of 125 runs against West Indies in this edition of the tournament.

Moreover, India has already won two matches in Manchester in this World Cup. The Men in Blue defeated Pakistan and West Indies by 89 runs and 125 runs respectively. Additionally, India also won two of its matches in the Old Trafford stadium in 1983 World Cup. It had won against West Indies and England by 36 runs and six wickets, respectively.

Out of the five matches India lost in Manchester, one is against New Zealand and Sri Lanka each, and three are against England.

Overall, Manchester has witnessed five 300-plus scores at Old Trafford. The lowest score is 45 by Cananda against England in the 1979 World Cup. The highest is England's 397 for 6 against Afghanistan this tournament.

England cricketer Graham Gooch has the highest aggregate at Old Trafford with 405 runs - also the highest at this venue. On the other hand, West Indies' Sir Viv Richards had accumulated several records in his name - he scored 284 runs in just 3 innings (?) at an average of 142 and strike rate of 97.93. Sir Richard's unbeaten 189 against England in 1984 is the highest score at Old Trafford.

The highest partnership at the Old Trafford Stadium is between Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti. The duo scored 194 run partnership against New Zealand in the 1999 World Cup.

England's legendary bowler Bob Willis has taken the highest number of wickets at Manchester - 15 in 9 matches.

Also read: India vs New Zealand World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli and Co emerge as favourites to win semi-final match

Also read: India vs New Zealand Manchester weather forecast: Light rain expected; this will happen if match is washed out

Also read: Deja vu: Virat Kohli to face Kane Williamson in the World Cup's semi-finals again </s> The Kiwis will take on India in the first semi-final at Old Trafford in this year’s World Cup’s first semi-final. Both the teams have won 53 matches each in ODI World Cups. New Zealand defeated India in the practice match while India topped the points table in the league stage, therefore, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top but before that let’s have a look at few of the stats and facts.

New Zealand have beaten India in all the three matches that they have played against them in England. However, New Zealand have lost their last three matches in this World Cup — the first instance when they lost three consecutive matches in an ODI World Cup.

New Zealand have lost six semi-finals in ODI World Cups which is a record. Their only win in a World Cup semi-final came against South Africa in 2015.

India’s top-order batting average of 69.86 is the highest among all teams in the tournament so far. The difference between India and New Zealand’s top-order batting average is 28.81 while the difference in average in middle-order is reduced to 4.29 which means that it is a concern for both the teams. Therefore, if New Zealand bowlers can put some pressure early on the Indian top-order, it will make for an intriguing battle.

New Zealand are the only team to have an economy rate under five in the league stage of this year’s World Cup. Moreover, they also had the best average, while India had the best bowling strike rate. Therefore, it can be said that whichever team’s batsmen play well, will win the game as bowlers have performed almost equally well for both teams so far in the tournament.

Captains of both teams also performed more or less the same during the league stage. It’s just that Kohli has not been able to convert his fifties into centuries. If he does convert in the semis, it will be tough for Williamson and Co to stop India from winning the battle.

For all the latest news, opinions and analysis from ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, click here </s> New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday sent good wishes to the Indian cricket team, ahead of their semi-final clash against New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

"I have sent my good wishes to the Indian cricket team and I am hopeful they will perform well," Rijiju told ANI.

India have won the World Cup twice (1983 and 2011) whereas New Zealand are yet to lift the trophy.

The Men in Blue finished the group stage at the top of the standings with 15 points, whereas New Zealand finished fourth with 11 from nine matches each.

India would enter the semi-finals with winning momentum behind their back as they won their last two matches. On the other hand, the Kiwi side have lost their last two matches and they would look to change their fortunes around.

India will take on New Zealand in the semi-final match later in the day. (ANI) </s> New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat against India in the first World Cup semi-final at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

All of the five previous matches in the tournament played on the Manchester ground have been won by the side batting first but the overcast conditions promised to assist India's pacemen.

"We're going to bat," said Williamson, who has been responsible for more than 28 percent of his side's runs at the World Cup, at the toss.

"It looks like a good surface. We've played a number of matches here so we know it's a good pitch," added Williamson, whose side beat West Indies by five runs at Old Trafford in a thrilling group match on June 22.

"It was 50-50 with the overheads (cloud cover) but we just have to bat well. We've got a great opportunity today."

Two-time former champions India made one change from the side that beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets at Headingley on Saturday to top the 10-team round-robin, with Yuzvendra Chahal replacing fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav.

That meant there was no place in their side for experienced paceman Mohammed Shami.

"We would have batted first," said India captain Virat Kohli. "It is a fresh wicket and is nice and hard and not moist.

"I think it will remain similar throughout the day. With a bit of rain around, the ball will get more wet as the game goes on.

"We have played really good cricket in Manchester. There have been two good games for us here (wins over Pakistan and the West Indies)."

"We are treating this game as normal as we can," added Kohli, whose side includes Rohit Sharma, the tournament's leading run-scorer with 647 runs.

New Zealand, the 2015 runners-up, qualified fourth after edging out Pakistan on net run-rate.

The Black Caps, appearing in their eighth semi-final but yet to win the World Cup, came into this match on the back of three straight defeats by Pakistan, Australia and England.

New Zealand made one change to the side that suffered a 119-run defeat by England at Chester-le-Street last week.

Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, their leading wicket-taker at the tournament with 17 scalps, returned following a hamstring injury in place of Tim Southee.

India and New Zealand have yet to meet at this World Cup as their scheduled group match at Nottingham's Trent Bridge on June 13 was washed out without a ball bowled.

Rain has been forecast for Manchester on Tuesday but there are reserve days for both semi-finals and the final.

India or New Zealand will play the team that wins Thursday's second semi-final between hosts England and reigning champions Australia at Edgbaston in the July 14 final at Lord's. </s> Several parliamentarians cheered for Team India today as they clash with New Zealand in the World Cup 2019 semi-final in Manchester. The Indian cricket team faces New Zealand in what is anticipated to be a high-powered contest with Virat Kohli's team seeking to become the fourth Indian team to enter the final of this premier cricket tournament and lift the coveted trophy for the third time.

"I wish our Indian cricket team all the best. I know they all are smart and wonderful boys. I am sure they will do their best. I pray that they bring the World Cup," said Hema Malini, actor and BJP parliamentarian from Uttar Pradesh's Mathura.

The sky above the Old Trafford stadium, which is match is taking place, has been declared a "no-fly zone" for Tuesday, an action prompted by a private plane displaying anti-India banners during the team's league encounter against Sri Lanka in Headingley.

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted wishes and letter to Virat Kohli & Co. "I have sent my good wishes to the Indian cricket team and I am hopeful they will perform well," Mr Rijiju told news agency ANI.

"I pray to god that they win the semi-final today and bring the World Cup too. I remember the 1983 victory," noted classical dancer and Rajya Sabha lawmaker Sonal Mansingh said.

Parliamentarian from Bihar Chirag Paswan too wished the Indian team.

India have won the World Cup twice - in 1983 and in 2011 - whereas New Zealand are yet to lift the trophy. Along with the West Indies team, India is the second most successful team in World Cup history.

India entered the semi-final with winning momentum behind their back as they won their last two matches. On the other hand, the Kiwis lost their last two matches and they would look to change their fortunes around.

Get Breaking news, live coverage, and Latest News from India and around the world on NDTV.com. Catch all the Live TV action on NDTV 24x7 and NDTV India. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram for latest news and live news updates. </s> New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson, center right facing camera, stands with teammates during a training session ahead of the Cricket World Cup final match against England at Lord’s cricket ground in London, England, Saturday, July 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

LONDON (AP) — There will be a first-time winner of the Cricket World Cup trophy when England takes on New Zealand in the final at Lord’s on Sunday.

England is in the title match for the fourth time, and the first since 1992, while New Zealand is playing in a second final, after losing to Australia in 2015.

After some early-morning rain, the covers are off at the home of cricket, revealing a green-looking pitch. World Cup finals tend to be low-scoring matches and this is likely to be no exception, if previous matches at Lord’s are anything to go by.

England starts as the favorite, having been the top-ranked one-day side for the past year and beaten India, New Zealand and then Australia — in the semifinals — in its last three games this tournament.

New Zealand, No. 3 in the ODI rankings, defeated India in the semifinals and should be better for its experience of the final four years ago. </s> Indian cricket's no.1 support group will be present at Lord's for the WWC final

There could not have been a better venue for the final.

When England take on India in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, the fortress Lord’s will not just be cheering, but also playing drums. The Bharat Army, a group of men who play a couple of musical instruments during India’s matches, will be allowed at the iconic venue.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the Bharat Army requested the ICC and MCC to permit them to play a number of instruments. However, the respective boards allowed only dhol, the traditional Indian drum. No other instruments will be permitted.

In case you didn’t know...

The Lord’s Cricket Ground will be hosting the finals of a Women’s World Cup after 24 years. The last time when it did, hosts England beat New Zealand in front of a scarce crowd. However, with women’s cricket finally gaining the popularity it deserves, the tickets for the 2017 finals are all sold out.

The heart of the matter

Along with the Indian Army playing the drum, the stadium authorities have also allowed distribution of flags for supporters of both the teams. Espncricinfo report that spectators, for most matches at the Lord’s, are not allowed flags, but have welcomed the change for the mega event.

Earlier, England beat South Africa in the first semi-final to become the first finalists of the tournament. India beat Australia in the second semi-final, on the back of a heroic knock of 171 not out from middle order batswoman Harmanpreet Kaur, which sent fans into a frenzy. However, it was reported earlier that Kaur injured herself during the net session ahead of the finals. And if she is unable to recover on time, her absence can be a huge drawback to India’s chances of lifting their maiden World Cup title.

For all the fans in India, catch all the action live from Lord’s on Star Sports at 3 PM IST. Although England have the home support, India have just beaten two world-class teams, New Zealand and Australia, back to back, and thus cannot be ruled out.

That the Bharat Army, which is seen in almost every game the men’s team play, travelled to England to support the girls is a proof that women’s cricket has finally come out of the shadow of their male counterparts. And a final at Lord’s can just bring about a new revolution in Indian Women’s Cricket. Do not miss the game. </s> England will bid to bring 'cricket home' at Lord's on Sunday when they face New Zealand in the World Cup final. (FULL COVERAGE)

The home of cricket will host a clash between two countries seeking their first ever World Cup triumph.

ALSO READ: Road To Lord's - How New Zealand And England Made It To Final

Eoin Morgan's England crushed Australia by eight wickets in the second semi-final, after Kane Williamson's Black Caps stunned India at Old Trafford in their last-four encounter.

ALSO READ: Can Adil Rashid Spin England To Cricket World Cup Glory?

Here we take a look at the numbers behind Sunday's showpiece -

6 - Whichever team lifts the trophy at the weekend will become the sixth nation to win the World Cup - after West Indies, India, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

2 - England have met New Zealand in two previous ODIs at Lord's, the Black Caps winning on both occasions - by five wickets in 2013 and 51 runs in 2008.

548 - No New Zealander has scored more runs at a World Cup than Williamson has managed in this edition.

4 out of 5 - The team that has won the toss has lost four of the previous five World Cup finals. Australia's victory over Sri Lanka in 2007 is the exception.

275 - The highest successful chase in a World Cup final came in 2011 when India (277-4) beat Sri Lanka.

359 - Only one team has managed to score more than 300 in a World Cup final when batting first, Australia posting 359-2 against India 16 years ago.

1,029 - England (2,942) have scored 1,029 more runs than New Zealand (1,913) at the tournament, though they played an extra group game as the Black Caps' fixture with India was washed out.

100 - Morgan's men have been explosive in obtaining those runs too, scoring 100 more fours and 53 more maximums than their upcoming opponents.

3 - Jason Roy's return to the side has coincided with three consecutive century stands alongside Jonny Bairstow. There have been never been four successive opening partnerships worth three figures in England's ODI history.

338 - No bowler has produced more dot balls than England paceman Jofra Archer's 338. New Zealand seamer Trent Boult (320) is third on the list behind Australia's Pat Cummins (323). </s> LONDON (AP) — There will be a first-time winner of the Cricket World Cup trophy when England takes on New Zealand in the final at Lord's on Sunday.

England is in the title match for the fourth time, and the first since 1992, while New Zealand is playing in a second final, after losing to Australia in 2015.

After some early-morning rain, the covers are off at the home of cricket, revealing a green-looking pitch. World Cup finals tend to be low-scoring matches and this is likely to be no exception, if previous matches at Lord's are anything to go by.

England starts as the favorite, having been the top-ranked one-day side for the past year and beaten India, New Zealand and then Australia — in the semifinals — in its last three games this tournament.

New Zealand, No. 3 in the ODI rankings, defeated India in the semifinals and should be better for its experience of the final four years ago.
New Zealand defeats India in the first semi-final of the Cricket World Cup.