David Graveney has called on cricket lovers in the north west to support England's successful side and prevent another poorly-attended Old Trafford Test.

The last two Tests in Manchester, against New Zealand and the West Indies, have not been well attended and Old Trafford has since been overlooked for the more prestigious Ashes series and given next week's second meeting with Pakistan instead.

Lancashire complained to the ECB about the decision, insisting they enjoyed the next biggest attendances behind Lord's the previous time Australia were here in 1997.

England will travel to Old Trafford on the threshold of their fifth successive series win for the first time since 1969-71, having suffered only one Test defeat in their last 11 matches.

"After what happened at Lord's it would be very disappointing for the players if the crowd did not come out and support them," explained Graveney.

"Anyone in sport recognises that if you don't produce the goods then people are not going to watch, but it would be particularly disappointing with the good run we have had if the north-west public did not come out to support us."

Lancashire claim to have sold around 70% of their budget figure of #500,000 in ticket sales for the Test. There was an increase in interest following England's victory during the first Test at Lord's.

"We're hoping to be on budget by the time the Test starts," explained Geoff Durbin, Lancashire's marketing manager. "England's win at Lord's sparked a lot of interest and a real increase in sales."

The return of Wasim Akram, who spent 10 years as Lancashire's overseas player, is another factor which the club hope will attract fans, and they have been marketing in the Asian areas to tempt that section of the community to the Test.

Wasim will also be foremost on England's minds in their build-up to the Test, with fears that his experience of playing at Old Trafford may inspire a far more competitive display from Pakistan.

"When you pick up the papers and talk to people, everybody seems to be interested in Australia and the Ashes series, but Pakistan are still a very formidable side," added Graveney.

"They will be smarting from what happened at Lord's and Wasim's experience of Old Trafford could rub off on the rest of their team and we have to be very mindful of that."

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