England v Australia 1st Twenty20

Lancashire are confident of securing one of the Pakistan-Australia Test matches next year, but their ultimate aim is to bring Ashes cricket back to a redeveloped Old Trafford. The club has submitted its bid to the ECB for one of the neutral games in 2010 and has felt bullish about its chances since the series was announced with the strong Asian links in the area an advantage.

However, while hosting the Test next summer would be a significant boost the absence of an Ashes match this season is still hurting. When Lancashire learnt they wouldn't host Australia over five days it made them realise how seriously the venue needed redeveloping.

"Since Old Trafford first hosted international cricket we have only missed out on three Ashes Tests and one of them was 2009," said Jim Cumbes, the Lancashire chief executive. "There are no guarantees, the ECB can't give any but they have been very supportive. When the work is finished this will be a wonderful stadium. The bidding process for the Ashes in 2013 is probably 12 months away and when it comes around we feel we will be a strong position