Monty Panesar returns to Old Trafford this week knowing that history is on his side.

The Luton left-arm spinner has taken 18 wickets in his two previous Test matches at the Manchester venue and will head into the second Test against New Zealand – which gets under way tomorrow – with a spring in his step.

Panesar had to be content with a quiet game as England drew with New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's but England captain Michael Vaughan is not unduly worried.

He said: "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.

"We're confident of going up to Old Trafford.

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

At Lord's, Panesar took a single wicket in each innings as the tourists comfortably saved the game after conceding a 42-run deficit in the first innings.

Panesar did dismiss the Kiwis' dangerman Brendon McCullum for 97 in the first innings, but he was out-bowled by his opposition counterpart, Daniel Vettori, who was nominated as the man of the match for his five wicket haul in England's only innings.

After New Zealand had been dismissed for 277, the in-form Ryan Sidebottom taking four wickets, England had a Michael Vaughan century to thank as they posted 319.

Although the tourists were in some danger at 115-4 on the fifth day, a superb century from Jacob Oram and a stubborn 29 from debutant Daniel Flynn ensured the game finished in stalemate.