Broad: England chase top spot

Stuart Broad

Stuart Broad says England is "hunting" top spot in the ICC Test rankings after victory over India at Lord's.

Needing to take the series by two clear Tests to move above their opponents in the standings, England made the perfect start with an impressive 196-run triumph on Monday.

Broad, though, insists the squad is not resting on their laurels, and is strong-minded to turn in another strong presentation in the second Test at Trent Bridge, which gets underway on Friday.

"We knew we wanted to start the series well," the Nottinghamshire bowler told in front of the game at his home ground.

"We had talk about it, chiefly the first hour, so to come away from Lord's with victory is just the ideal start.

"We know it's only one Test out of four and that India are the best team in the world, so we need to be right on it at Trent Bridge.

"We've got huge leaders of our group - people like Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss - and we will be very listening carefully on that first hour at Trent Bridge.

"The great thing about Trent Bridge is that it's a really good cricket wicket, but you can lose the game inside the first hour since it can swing around. If you're 50-5, you're in a bit of trouble.

"The boys are hunt that No.1 slot and we need to be right on the money all of the time."

Broad positively played his part in England's success at Lord's, final up with match figures of 7-94 and also weighing in with an winning half-century in the home side's second innings.

The 25-year-old had been under force going into the match, only just keeping his place in the final XI ahead of Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan, after lasting a lean series against Sri Lanka at the start of the summer.

"It's always nice to take wickets and score some runs, but more highly to add to the team winning," he added.

"It was nice to pick up some key wickets and help Matt reach his hundred, which was a special moment, but it all starts again at Trent Bridge.

"The boys are really focused on that. It was an amazing win at Lord’s; we really enjoy sitting in the changing room on Monday evening, but the mind soon switched on to Trent Bridge and looking to go 2-0 up."

While England is on a high, India has plenty of problems ahead of the match in Nottingham.

Their most pressing anxiety is the fitness of Zaheer Khan, who suffers a hamstring strain on the opening day at Lord's and did not bowl again.

"We saw Zaheer in 2007 at Trent Bridge and he caused our batsmen problem. We know he is a skilful bowler and he would use circumstances well," Broad said of the left-arm seamer.

"Obviously, we don't know how he is going to pull up, but we must focus on what we have got to do.

"We need to regulate our line and lengths - you do get good value for pitching the ball up at Trent Bridge - and a lot of catches can go to the slip, so that's something we will be working on in training."

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