Everything clicked for Stephen Harmison yesterday as he made the most of an Old Trafford pitch he says he has been waiting eight months to bowl on.

The result was a devastating return of six for 19 as Pakistan were dismissed for 119 in under 40 overs on the first one of the second Test - which finished with England already in credit with major power to add on 168 for two.

England's number one strike bowler was aided and abetted by slow left-armer Monty Panesar (three for 21) as England took Pakistan's last eight wickets for 29 runs in 14 overs either side of lunch.

Harmison spoke of his sense of achievement at giving England's stand-in captain Andrew Strauss the assistance he needed after losing the toss on a pacy surface always likely to yield either runs or wickets at a fast rate.

Thankfully for England it was the former, despite a third-wicket stand of 81 between Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf.

"I think I've been waiting about eight months for that pitch," Harmison said. "I've worked very hard, and obviously everything has gone brilliantly - because I've got six for 19."

Even so, Harmison had to be careful not to get carried away with the bounce and pace available to him "If I'd whacked it in halfway down each time it would have been very easy to face - I pitched it up and got wickets with edges," he said.

"When a team wins the toss and bats first as a fielding side you feel as if you should be there for most of the day.

"But our preparation has been awesome, and we've really hit our straps nicely in this game."