LONDON GUIDE!

The game of cricket, which developed from its origins in England, was introduced to the colonies in the days of the British Empire. The success of former colonies like Australia, the West Indies and India in cricket is ironic as they beat England on a regular basis.

Try to see one of the Test matches between England and the summer's touring team to see the game at its finest. The London cricket season runs from April to September and international fixtures are played in the middle of the season. London hosts two of the matches, one at Lord's, St Johns Wood (phone +44 (0)20 7289 1611;www.lords.org) the home of English cricket and the other at The Oval, Kensington (phone +44 (0)20 7582 6660; www.surreyccc.co.uk). A series of one-day internationals, two of which are usually held in London, are also played in tandem with the five-day Tests.

You will need to book months in advance to see England play one of the big teams. However if you do not manage to get to one of the Tests, you could always watch it on live TV or go to see one of the inter-county matches with London teams; Middlesex who play at Lord's or Surrey who play at The Oval. The games are usually four-day games or fast and furious one-day competitions.