Vaughan Hails Hosts

On the eve of Old Trafford's last Test match until at least 2012 - the earliest predicted date for its rebuilding to be completed - England's captain, Michael Vaughan, praised the ground as possessing the best pitch in the country.

"I like playing at Old Trafford and England's record here is excellent," he said. "But it's not for me to say where we should play Test cricket. This could be the best cricket wicket in the country. It's a great place to play and it is often quite attacking cricket.

"There is pace, some orthodox swing, reverse swing, and you can get some turn and bounce out of it if you bowl spin. But as a seam bowler you have to keep your pace up because if you trundle in at around 80mph then you can disappear around the park.

"As a batsman, you can play shots off the front and the back foot, especially the back foot. There is always a bit of chin music. Whatever you do, you are rewarded for your skills and effort."

England last lost on the Old Trafford strip in 2001 when Inzamam-ul-Haq's first-innings hundred set the foundations for Pakistan's 108-run win.