India Captain Harmanpreet Kaur Eyes Historic Lord's Test Win for Confidence Boost

PITCH REPORT - On what he looks for in a Test match surface, Simon Doull says he wants something that offers assistance throughout, whether that comes through seam early on or turn as the match wears on. He notes the tufty grass covering suggests some early movement off the seam, and he even expects a touch of spin to be on offer from the outset. Given those conditions, he believes that is what persuaded Nat Sciver-Brunt to bowl first. Mark Butcher points out that the bowlers will look to hit the top of off stump and use the surface to draw batters forward, with variable bounce likely to come into play as well. He asks whether the anticipated hot weather through the Test could bring more turn as the game progresses. Doull agrees there should be turn later in the match, particularly for the left arm spinners operating from the Nursery End. He praises the outfield, calling it magnificent, and expects the shine on the new ball to last well into each innings. Overall, he doesn't foresee the character of the pitch shifting dramatically across the five days. Butcher rounds off by dismissing any concern over the famous slope, insisting bowlers who hit the right areas will find success on what looks like a genuine belter of a surface.

Harmanpreet said India's recent performances in Test cricket, especially against England, give the team confidence going into the historic match.

"Definitely, our last two Tests have been very, very good for us. And we've always played good cricket against them. I think it's only about giving your best and going with a good frame of mind. As a team, we have all decided that 'let's stay together, let's stick together and just give our best'."

The India skipper also backed the idea of more women's Test cricket in the future, while admitting the final decision rests with the ICC and the respective cricket boards.

"As cricketers we definitely want to be part of many Test matches. But I think that's a totally high authority's call. But I think till now, I have seen all the highs and lows. And I have seen women's cricket growing all those years. I think we are in the right hands, and they're (boards) the right ones to take the call.

"But if you ask me, as a player, I definitely want to play lots of cricket and don't want to sit home doing nothing. But I think we are enjoying our time. We are quite busy. And in between, we are getting... last March also, we played one Test. And now, tomorrow also, we're going to get one more Test. I think things are going the right way. And hopefully in future, we'll see many more Test matches," she hoped.

The captain also backed left-arm spinner Shree Charani, who is set to make her Test debut after finishing as India's leading wicket-taker at the T20 World Cup.

"Charani is one of our key bowlers. No doubt about it. And the way she performed in the T20 World Cup, and she has been doing it even before that. I think she has given a surety to the team, that she is there to bowl all those crucial overs.

"And whenever the team needs a breakthrough, she is always there for the team. So I think it is very important for such players to be in the team. Players like her give a lot of confidence to me also as a captain."

Harmanpreet acknowledged that switching from white-ball cricket to the longer format is not easy because women do not play many Tests. However, she said the excitement of playing at Lord's has lifted the team's spirits.

"Yeah, to be honest, it's a bit challenging because we are not that used to playing red ball. But I think we all are very excited about this game. We had four-five sessions where we all looked really good in the nets. So, I think this is something we are not used to, but we are very excited. I think when you're excited about something, you always give your best."

The India captain admitted she was surprised to learn that Lord's had never hosted a women's Test before and said playing at the famous ground is a dream for every cricketer.

"It's a very big moment for all of us. As a captain and as a player, I'm really looking forward to this opportunity. I think, as a kid, we always dream about playing Test matches, and playing in Lord's is one of the dreams. I'm so happy that we got this opportunity. And other girls are also very excited and as a team, we are really looking forward to this opportunity.

"We were having a discussion that after so many years, this match is going to happen. And it took us so many years to feel that women can also be part of Lord's Test match. So, I mean, I was surprised to know, I wasn't aware of this. But, yeah, I mean, it's a great opportunity. I just look at, you know, maybe it's late, but not too late. Still I'm playing and still getting this opportunity to be part of this historic day," said Harmanpreet.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes a victory in the historic women's Test against England at Lord's would help the team move on from its disappointing T20 World Cup campaign and give the players a major confidence boost.

The one-off Test, beginning on Friday, will be the first women's Test to be played at Lord's, 142 years after the iconic venue hosted its first men's Test.

Speaking ahead of the match, Harmanpreet described the occasion as a landmark moment for Indian women's cricket.

"I think this Test match is a very big moment for us because if we win this Test, it can be very good for the team. Because right now, you know, after the T20 World Cup, everybody was very sad that we couldn't give our best," the skipper said.

She believes a victory at Lord's could help India regain confidence after the early World Cup exit.

"...in patches we did well, but unfortunately as a team, we couldn't do so well (in T20 WC). But through this Test match, we can cover a lot of things. We can bring that confidence back. Then you feel so strong, you feel, you know, you're the best team in the world," Harmanpreet said.