Broad boosted by county turn

Stuart Broad is confident his match practice with Nottinghamshire has put him on course to help England take on India in the first npower Test at Lord's.

Broad's lack of international wickets is the only obvious concern for England as they continue their preparation for a four-Test series in which they can topple the world's best team from their number one perch if they beat them by two clear matches. But the 25-year-old believes his five-wicket first-innings haul against Somerset at Trent Bridge last week was just what he needed.

"It was obviously useful to go away," Broad told Sky Sports News. "I felt I've been bowling quite well throughout the summer but have not had that luck you need to get wickets."

He added: "It's always nice to pick up a five-for, and I felt like I bowled quite nicely against Somerset - a really good side, with the likes of (Marcus) Trescothick, (Craig) Kieswetter and (James) Hildreth in there."

Broad will begin this week with the premise that he will retain his place in a winning England side - and insists he and his team-mates will not allow themselves to be distracted from the most important and pressing business, by premature thoughts of becoming world-beaters this summer.

"In your head, you've got to prepare like you're going to play," he said.

"Everyone in the 12 is desperate to play.

"We have a quest to be the best Test team in the world.

"But I think it's important as a team you don't think about, you don't look at the big picture like that, you look at the first hour at Lord's - and make sure you win that and put your authority on the Test series."