Monty Panesar is relishing a return to Old Trafford hoping previous success can inspire him to a match-winning contribution.

The Northamptonshire left-arm spinner regards Old Trafford's spin-friendly surface in a similar manner to the way batsmen revere the pitch at Lord's because it rewards good batting.

"This is one of my favourite grounds," Panesar said. "I've had success here and I'm going to be looking forward to bowling here coming into this Test."

In just two Tests in Manchester, Panesar has claimed 18 wickets with the extra bounce and pace ideally suited to his style of bowling during the latter stages of the match.

Having had little impact during the drawn opening Test at Lord's, Panesar could not have hoped for a better venue to play at next as England attempt to take a lead in the three-Test series.

"I enjoy bowling here because the wicket has a bit of pace and bounce and my style of spin suits this kind of wicket and my record shows that," he said.

"I like the pace of the wicket here because the ball often gathers pace after bouncing and it turns quite sharply - my kind of pace suits this kind of wicket."

Of course, if Old Trafford is kind to Panesar then it will be equally suitable to New Zealand captain and fellow left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori, who claimed the man-of-the-match award at Lord's for his five-wicket first innings haul.

Friday's match will be Panesar's 28th at this level while Vettori will be starting his 82nd Test match and England's premier spinner believes that experience gap is the major difference between the pair.

Panesar said: "He's played international cricket for ever and I suppose with us both being left-arm spinners it's natural to compare but I think it's a bit unfair. I've only just started in international cricket and he's played for years, he knows his craft and I look up to him and maybe in a few years time I can emulate what he does."