Broad likely to benefit if injury rules out Harmison

The season begins at Lord's on Thursday. The season, that is, of authentic, tough Test cricket and not the wretched, pale imitation to which we have been subjected so far.

England face a much more rigorous examination against India than they received from West Indies: the difference, say, between A- levels as they were and A-levels as they are. Moreover, they must almost certainly do so without Stephen Harmison, whose hernia requires more immediate attention than was originally diagnosed. The injury is to be reassessed tomorrow, but Harmison is a grave doubt for both match and series.

With Andrew Flintoff also unlikely to play in the series, England are deprived of pace, bounce and much experience. Harmison may not be the bowler he was at international level, although there had been signs of a renaissance, but his absence leaves a gaping hole in the attack and a vintage set of batsmen from India perhaps licking their lips. But England must not make the mistake they have tended to before, going for the short-term fix and failing to recognise the longer-term goals. Burn-out is the burning topic de nos jours, and half-fit players burn out more quickly.

The selectors must make a careful judgement about who joins Matthew Hoggard and Ryan Sidebottom as the third member of the seam attack. James Anderson might seem the natural choice, because he has been the nominated reserve so far this summer and is back in form. But Anderson, like the other two, is primarily a swing bowler. If the ball refuses to swing - the conditions may not be conducive, and some balls do, some don't - they would have an impotent fast- bowling trio and a rampant touring side.

Thus the way may be clear for Stuart Broad, who has been bursting to get out on to the field and out of the selectors' notebooks for some time. There is unanimity that Broad has something: pace and bounce for sure, but also a glint of steel in his eye that lets the batsman know he is out to get him.

He would be the appropriate gamble, but Chris Tremlett, after two quiet years, has, with a shortened run-up, regained both fitness and intent. Of course, the selectors might consider the most successful England seam bowler of the season so far. Andrew Cad-dick will be 39 in November and has 44 Championship wickets to date. He is not a cricketer whom many become sentimental about, but what a romantic recall it would be. England remain favourites for the Tests. They are formidable, if not invincible, at home. In the 15 home series of this century only Australia have beaten them, though India are one of the three sides to secure a series draw.

India are better than they used to be away from the subcontinent but hardly accomplished. They will be mighty hard to bowl out twice - their illustrious middle-order quartet are determined to leave England in style - and maybe their bowling will be a surprise package.

Should they win, they will do serious damage to the role of the coach in international cricket. India are here without one, though they have a bowling specialist and fitness advisers, and despite the presence of the 72-year-old manager, Chandu Borde, and the chairman of selectors, Dilip Vengsarkar, the team are run by the senior players. It could catch on if it works. Up to a point, England did what they had to do against West Indies and won 3-0. Welcome though this result might have been after their previous outing in Australia (5-0, the mother of all hammerings, lest it be forgotten) it did not return England to their former splendour. Thankfully for all concerned, and for the standing of the game, West Indies showed themselves more adept at one-day cricket. But in the longer version they were dreadful, and England's performances must be measured by that.

Peter Moores and the new coaching team have been refreshing, but there is something slightly worrying about England. They look tired. Too many players have been on the road for too long. They know they have a job to die for but play, travel, hotel, practice... it can dull the senses. Kevin Pietersen referred to it last week and Andrew Strauss does so in an interview in these pages. England desperately need a break.

Michael Vaughan, England's captain, said: "The schedule looks pretty daunting. Players have got to accept that their careers might be two years shorter but they're going to get huge rewards for it. We're going to have to make sure that if there's a chance of resting players for the odd tour or game, we do that. We haven't been able to because of so many injuries in the last year or two.

"I will sit down with Kevin on Tuesday to make sure he has refreshed himself, because what we need next Thursday is Kev firing on all fronts. I don't know about Strauss but he's played a lot of cricket. We must manage players as best we can."

Vaughan also said that he feared for Marcus Trescothick after he had been named in the 30-strong squad for the Twenty20 World Championship. "I fear for him now. I don't want him to put any pressure on himself to play if he's not right."