Met Office weather forecast for Vitality IT20 England vs New Zealand at Emirates Old Trafford

International cricket returns to Manchester on Friday night as England’s Men's team welcome New Zealand to Emirates Old Trafford. The match is the second in the three match Vitality IT20 series. 

England got off to the perfect start in the opening match of the series at Chester-le-Street. Dawid Malan’s half century helped Jos Buttler’s side to a comprehensive 7 wicket win. A win in Manchester would seal a series win for the T20 World Cup champions with a game to spare. 

As with all cricket matches, the weather plays a key part, with fans attending Old Trafford hoping the rain stays away for the match. The game gets underway at 6pm, and the Met Office forecast makes for mixed reading. 

Friday September 1 looks set to get off to a gloomy start, with not much sunshine around until at least the early afternoon. Temperatures may reach as high as 17C before noon, and should rise in the afternoon. 

The afternoon will may not be too much brighter, but with no rain forecast and a high temperature of 20C it should be a nice afternoon and evening. The match begins at 6pm, and the current forecast shows no chance of showers at this time. The evening will remain cloudy, but there's a good chance of no rain during the game.

With the game set to finish between 9pm and 9.30pm, there will be dry conditions for the end of the fixture. Conditions may well change, and the forecast will be updated if there is any significant change. The high temperature during the match will be around 18C.   

Met Office forecast for North West England

September 1

Rather cloudy to start the day with some patchy rain, particularly across Cumbria. Brighter skies will develop further south but with the chance of some slow moving heavy showers by the afternoon. Turning drier for most by evening. Light winds. Maximum temperature 21C.