By Oliver Brett BBC Sport in Manchester

Bowling great Warne has never lost a Test at Old Trafford

The wicket for the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford will not play into the hands of Australian bowler Shane Warne, head groundsman Peter Marron says.

Warne is tipped to do well again on the pitch where he made his name in 1993 by bowling Mike Gatting with a delivery since dubbed the "ball of the century".

But Marron downplayed suggestions Warne was set for another stunning display.

He said: "I keep reminding Shane I made him a superstar but that pitch was damp and this one will be very different."

Warne is brimming with confidence ahead of the visit to Old Trafford, where play starts on Thursday with the Ashes series tied 1-1.

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The 35-year-old, who took 10 wickets in Australia's defeat in the second Test in Edgbaston last week, said: "This ground has special memories for me.

"I have never lost a Test match here and there have been some pretty special individual moments for me here as well."

And Marron did admit he expected the pitch to "turn at some stage over the five days".

WHEN PITCHES SPIN A hard, flat pitch that the ball can grip on at pace Loosening of the top surface as the ball repeatedly pitches into the same areas Footmarks caused by fast bowlers that when pitched into cause exaggerated turn

"I would be disappointed if it didn't turn but I don't think it will turn as quickly as some people think," Marron said.

"Some people have been saying it will turn yesterday, never mind at the start of the game. It's quite flat, it's hard and there is a lot of grass on it. It's rock solid, probably as hard as we could get it so I am quite pleased."

Old Trafford traditionally favours spin because it helps the ball turn and bounce, and is also quicker than the dusty turners of the Indian subcontinent.

Warne has used these features to inflict heavy damage on England in the past.

In 1993, he took eight wickets as Australia won by 179 runs after batting first. And four years later Warne took nine victims as Australia won by 268 runs - again after batting first.

But Marron believes his pitch may behave differently this year because the dry start to the summer has allowed him to develop a concrete-hard surface.

Australia's Hayden and Gilchrist prepare in the Old Trafford nets

Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes said he expected the wicket to favour batsmen early in the match before becoming more favourable to spin at the weekend.

"At the moment Peter's very pleased with the way things are going," Cumbes told BBC Sport.

"It's very hard now but he reckons it's going to get even harder still.

"You can read these things wrongly at times but at the moment it looks like it will be a cracking wicket to bat on.

"Mind you the way these two teams play I still don't think it's going to go longer than the fourth day.

"You don't want it to be too flat, otherwise it's boring. Traditionally, it has spun here and I expect it to start taking turn from day four."