Vaughan relishes Old Trafford bounce

Captain Michael Vaughan is backing England’s young attack to deliver when they travel north to face New Zealand in the second npower Test at Old Trafford, which starts on Friday.

England’s attack struggled to make inroads on the final day at Lord’s, as the tourists escaped with a draw 227 runs ahead on 269 for six.

But despite their failure to make further progress, Vaughan is confident Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Monty Panesar can deliver on the bouncy pitches usually prepared by Lancashire groundsman Pete Marron.

The selectors have also recalled Hampshire seamer Chris Tremlett into the squad to perhaps exploit those conditions, but already Vaughan believes the same attack should have the opportunity to perform at a ground where England are unbeaten in their last five Tests.

“We’ve been consistent (with our selection) in the past and I thought the young bowlers bowled well in the first Test,” said Vaughan.

“In some spells they were outstanding and in other spells they were not so great, but they’re an inexperienced unit and they’re getting better all the time.

“It will be very difficult until we’ve seen the wicket to say what that final XI will be but I’d have thought that the guys that have bowled reasonably well here will be given a further opportunity.”

England will not know the true nature of the Old Trafford pitch until their arrival for training on Wednesday morning, but if previous experiences are anything to go by they are expecting it to favour the quicker bowlers before turning later in the match.

“Old Trafford will be a quick and bouncy wicket - it always is - so we’ll just have to see what the conditions are like before we start saying what kind of plans we’ll have,” stressed Vaughan.

“It is usually a good pitch to bowl the short stuff on but you also have to be disciplined enough to get the ball in the right areas as well.”

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, who finished with just one wicket on the final day at Lord’s, will particularly be looking forward to the drive north after claiming 18 wickets in just two Tests at Old Trafford.

“We’re confident of going up to Old Trafford,” said Vaughan.

“The way we’ve played our cricket up there over the last few years it’s certainly a good ground for us.

“I thought Monty Panesar bowled excellently in this game without getting a haul of wickets, but he’ll be getting in his car going up to Manchester knowing that his last two games he’s done well there.”

While England travel to Old Trafford feeling confident, the same applies to the tourists who overcame Brendon McCullum retiring hurt after being hit on the left forearm to save the game comfortably.

All-rounder Jacob Oram hit a defiant 101 while McCullum returned to the crease to continue his innings before the close.

Black Caps captain Daniel Vettori feels that his side have gained from the stalemate: “We’ll take some confidence out of the game.

“The senior players in particular stood up throughout the game and little performances from Jamie How and Daniel Flynn, who had such a composed, mature innings for someone in his first Test, are the things to take out of it and we’ll take them up to Manchester.”

The Kiwis had faced criticism for the late arrival for some of their squad due to their participation in the Indian Premier League.

Vettori added: “We knew we’d be under fire from some places for the decisions we made but the only way we could justify them is with performances and that is what we’ve done in this Test.”