Ashes 2013: James Anderson excited to play at home town Manchester

England pace bowler James Anderson says he excited to be playing an Ashes Test in his home town of Manchester and will look inpsire his team to victory against the Australians.

Ashes-holders England have put themselves in pole position to retain the urn by going 2-0 up in the five-match series with victories at Trent Bridge and Lord's ahead of this week's clash at Lancashire paceman Anderson's Old Trafford home ground.

When the third Test starts on Thursday it will be the first time Old Trafford — which shares its name with the nearby Manchester United football ground — has staged an Ashes match since 2005 when Australia's last-wicket pair of Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath batted out the final four overs of a thrilling draw.