The Old Trafford crowd saw no play despite blue skies

The England and Wales Cricket Board has been told to scrutinise venues in more detail after England's Twenty20 fiasco against Australia at Old Trafford.

An internal investigation was launched after the 1 September game was called off without a ball being bowled because of a wet patch on the bowlers run-up.

It recommended drainage facilities and permanent floodlights should play a larger part in deciding where to play.

ECB chief David Collier said: "We will now progress the recommendations."

The ECB will also recommend a new match protocol for international Twenty20 games to the International Cricket Council as a matter of urgency.

The report makes further recommendations, which it wants in place for games awarded in the 2011 season, including that a Twenty20 game can be rescheduled if a venue is available within 24-48 hours.

The game at Old Trafford was called off despite the heavy rain that had fallen in the build-up clearing by the time play was due to start.

Umpires Peter Hartley and Nigel Llong deemed the pitch unfit, chiefly because of a wet area at the Brian Statham End of the ground and abandoned the game.

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