Stuart Broad admits England's lack of Twenty20 fixtures makes it difficult for their development but hopes today's inter-squad match at Old Trafford will pave the way for victory over India tomorrow.
The game at the revamped Manchester ground is only England's second of the summer in the shortest form of cricket and Broad will be desperate for an improvement after his first game as T20 captain ended in a heavy defeat by Sri Lanka at Bristol in June.
England have three newcomers - Ben Stokes, Alex Hales and Jos Buttler - in their squad, with Hales a virtually certain starter at the top of the order after his impressive form in the domestic Twenty20 competition with Nottinghamshire.
Broad said: "It's quite difficult to get a run going when you only get these one-off games. It's important we take these opportunities and that starts tomorrow. We're playing in front of a full house against a fantastic Twenty20 side so we have to be right on the money.
"We had a centre-wicket practice today because we wanted to put the guys under pressure against each other out in the middle.
"It was very match-like and that is what we wanted to create. We know we've got quite a long rest period until the game starts at 6pm tomorrow. A few of us haven't played at Old Trafford since the square was turned around, so it was good to have a bowl. The practice session had an intensity, which is something we want to implement tomorrow.
"The wicket has changed since they turned the square around. It used to be one of the quickest in the world and now it does take more spin, so we'll see what the side will be."
This should be Kevin Pietersen's last appearance of the summer against India as he is being rested for the five-match one-day series. Pietersen was struck in the throat by a bouncer from Broad during today's practice but he is expected to be fit to play.
