Five key points

A lifeless pitch at Trent Bridge ensured the first Test between England and India was drawn, despite some remarkable individual performances. The teams had only three days off to prepare for the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday. Here are five things to know ahead of the second Test:

ANOTHER SLOW PITCH? Trent Bridge groundsman Steve Birks apologised before the first Test for preparing a flat pitch, but that was partly to help Nottingham recoup expenses by trying to ensure the Test lasted five days. Lord’s counterpart Mick Hunt had some big-shot visitors on Tuesday, including England captain 

Alastair Cook, coach Peter Moores, managing director Paul Downton and board pitch consultant Chris Wood. None made a public statement about the conditions, but England batsmen Sam Robson and Gary Ballance were hoping for, more than expecting, a lively track.James Anderson and Stuart Broad bowled 113 overs at Trent Bridge, and won’t be excited if Lord’s is also placid. 

COOK STILL SEARCHING FOR RUNS: Cook’s batting performances have been as lifeless as the Trent Bridge track. He was out for 5 in the first Test, and spared from batting again by India batting out the fifth day to confirm a draw. That pressure hasn’t decreased, as his average this year has dropped to less than 14, with a top score of 28. 

PRESSURE STILL ON DHONI: MS Dhoni did not have the best of Tests as captain at Trent Bridge. He ran himself out on 82 in the first innings and ran out of ideas during Joe Root’s and Anderson’s record 10th-wicket partnership of 198. His fielding setup often allowed Root a single to retain the strike. 

BROAD AND ANDERSON KEY: Broad and Anderson bowled almost 60 overs each at Trent Bridge. Their importance cannot be understated, and the state of the pitch will determine how badly Cook needs to use them. The effect of pitches that neutralise them, and a Test series crammed within 42 days, means Cook is under an extra burden to manage his strike force. Broad is also managing a knee injury that ruled him out of the ODIs against Sri Lanka.

KOHLI OFF FORM: Virat Kohli was identified as India’s dangerman ahead of the first Test. Kohli averages 44 from 25 Tests but could manage only nine runs across two innings on a surface made for batting at Trent Bridge. Broad dismissed him both times, and Kohli will be wary of that developing into a trend.