THE Old Trafford Texaco Trophy international between England and Pakistan on August 29 is already a guaranteed sell-out.

Lancashire report phenomenal interest in the first of a three-match series which should see Wasim Akram and Mike Atherton clashing as rival skippers on their home ground.

Even though Wasim and the Pakistanis have only just arrived in England, all the general tickets have already been snapped up leaving only members' tickets available.

Following a sell-out Texaco game against India in June, it is another boost to Lancashire's hopes of joining Lord's and The Foster's Oval as annual Test match venues.

One thing Lancashire cannot guarantee at Old Trafford, however, is the weather. Only 34 deliveries were possible on the first day of their championship match against Worcestershire yesterday with Lancashire reaching 17-0 after being put in by Tom Moody.

After torrential rain during the Somerset game last week, there have been less than 54 overs bowled in the last four days of championship cricket at Old Trafford. And Lancashire have now lost the equivalent of more than six days out of 28 to the weather this season.

With a poor weekend forecast, the only prospects of a positive result from this game already looks to be contrivance between the captains to set up a Worcestershire run chase on Monday.

Steve Titchard was an early casualty today, caught behind off Ellis for 8, followed by Nick Speak, also a victim off Steve Rhodes off the left-armer Sheriyar for 5.

That left Lancashire at 89 for two in the 33rd over, with Jason Gallian on 37 and Neil Fairbrother on 33.

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