Vaughan backs Monty to put New Zealand in a spin

England captain Michael Vaughan is backing Monty Panesar to produce more bowling heroics at Old Trafford when the second Test against New Zealand starts at the Manchester ground on Friday.

Left-arm spinner Panesar has enjoyed his last two Test appearances on a pitch now known for its pace and bounce as well as turn - an enticing prospect for both slow bowlers and genuine quicks.

Last year, against the West Indies, his Test-best match return of 10 wickets for 187 runs helped England to a 60-run win.

And in 2006 his second innings return of five for 72, allied to five for 55 from now out-of-favour fast bowler Stephen Harmison, saw England to a crushing innings and 120-run victory against Pakistan.

Panesar was far less influential in the drawn first Test against New Zealand at Lord's concluded here Monday.

He took one for 30, albeit the prize scalp of Brendon McCullum for 97 in the first innings, and one for 56 in 24 economical overs as the tourists, led by centurion Jacob Oram, batted their way to safety.

"I thought Monty bowled excellently in this game without getting the wickets, but he'll be getting in his car going up to Manchester knowing that his last two games he's got five in an innings twice.

"So hopefully he'll come to the fore there and so will all the seam bowlers," Vaughan added.

But anything Panesar can do, rival left-arm Daniel Vettori can do too.

The New Zealand captain was named man-of-the-match for taking five wickets for 69 runs in 22.3 overs during England's only innings of 319 on a Lord's pitch which offered him no assistance at all.

It was an even more impressive display given he'd come into the game under an injury cloud after sustaining a cut to his spinning finger.

And Vettori for one was looking forward to playing on a much-changed pitch at Old Trafford.

"I know when I played here a long time ago, it was a slow dust-bowl. It's certainly turned around and the England guys have mentioned a couple of times it's got a bit of pace in it.

"We are excited by that, I know our fast bowlers will be."

He added: "When you go round the world, there's no set recipe for wickets anymore. Good players adapt and good teams win in any situation."

Vettori said he'd been buoyed by the way his side had stayed in the game at Lord's, after being made to bat first in difficult, overcast conditions before, in the second innings, all-rounder Jacob Oram's 101 saved the match.

"I just think we'll take some confidence out of the game.

"Particular players stood up throughout the game," said Vettori, who highlighted the innings of 68 played by novice opener Jamie How and 23-year-old debutant middle-order batsman Daniel Flynn, 29 not out at the finish.

"Jamie How played really well today (Monday) and Daniel Flynn had a composed, mature innings for such a young guy in his first Test.

Vaughan, whose 106 was the cornerstone of England's total, said this result showed how well-matched the sides were.

"Both teams will be happy," said Vaughan, who in March led England to a come-from-behind 2-1 Test series win in New Zealand.

"They will say they got out safely, very calmly in the end.

"We'll feel we created opportunities to maybe win the game today (Monday) that we didn't quite grasp.

"But really the game hasn't gone far enough for either team to say who's come out on top. This game's proved that the series will be a tough one."