BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | England v Pakistan

In his latest column for BBC Sport Online, Craig White reveals his return to fitness and reflects on England's defeat at Old Trafford.

I found it difficult watching the Old Trafford Test. A lot of players are not good watchers, especially when you know you could have been playing - it can be frustrating.

But it was a brilliant Test match regardless of the result.

It was always going to be difficult for England to bat for a day and a session on the Old Trafford pitch against that attack. Waqar, Wasim and Saqlain are all world-class performers.

OK, it was unfortunate that we lost, but you have to give so much credit to Pakistan.

Craig White
I will bowl for Yorkshire against Kent

You knew they would do better at Old Trafford as it is much more like a sub-continent pitch.

As for the no-balls, they will not be the first or the last to be missed.

It is so difficult for the umpires and if the technology is there then you have to use it.

The umpire has to look down at the line and then up to spot where the ball pitches - anything that can help them has got to be worthwhile using.

Still it was a great game. We had one bad two-hour session and paid the price.

On the plus side, Matthew Hoggard bowled beautifully. He runs in all day and tries his heart out.

And it was fantastic to see Michael Vaughan get his first Test hundred. He is in the best nick of his life and has become a quality international player.

We may have lost at Old Trafford, but we did not lose the series and everyone will still be confident about taking on the Aussies.

Matthew Hoggard
Hoggard: A real trier

I have not been following what the Australians have been doing. While everyone is hyping them I'm just concentrating on myself and getting ready for the Ashes.

England will have their work cut out in the NatWest series. Australia and Pakistan are top one-day teams, but we have a good record in one-day games at home.

I only wish I was playing, but I have to concentrate on being fully fit for Edgbaston a month from now.

I did not see much of the last day of the Test as I was on the way to London to see a specialist about my back.

It was worth the trip - the injury has virtually cleared up so it is time to start bowling again.

I will bowl in the nets at Headingley on Tuesday and then give it a go for Yorkshire against Kent on Wednesday.

I have not bowled for a while so it will be a case of gradually building up my pace.

My target is to be fit for the first Test against the Aussies.

I need to get some overs under my belt before that and will probably play all Yorkshire's game between now and the Edgbaston Test.

Michael Vaughan
Vaughan is in the form of his life

It all depends on what happens in the next couple of weeks, but I am confident I will be fit.

The injury will have to be carefully monitored, but I have got four weeks to gradually build-up my pace and as long as it is treated properly it should be okay.

The injury was a 'hot spot' in my back - that is the beginning of a stress fracture so I was lucky it was diagnosed when it was, otherwise I could have been out for around six months.