Historically, the pitch at the Headingley ground has been synonymous with swing bowling, often bringing nightmares to batsmen. Located in northern England, the weather here is much cooler and wetter than in London or Southampton. On a cloudy day, the ball can swing like a banana, and within a session or two, the batting team can lose the plot.

Thus, much of the focus ahead of the first Test between India and England, which begins on Friday, has been on the nature of the pitch and the weather forecast over the next five days. It has been a much drier start to the British summer this time, and sunny weather has been predicted over the weekend, which should be a come as a huge respite for the Indian team.

Skipper Ben Stokes bats at the Leeds nets yesterday