Broad inherits happy England
Stuart Broad is set to captain England for the first time since his elevation as Alastair Cook's Test deputy on Saturday - and is assured of inheriting a harmonious atmosphere.
Cook confirmed he will miss the three-day match against Mumbai A, in which England seem sure to make several other changes too following their opening draw with India A on Thursday.
Graeme Swann, meanwhile, was at pains to stress the "seamless" success of Kevin Pietersen's 'reintegration' as an England player and that dressing-room camaraderie has not been adversely affected. "We're trying to give everyone as much game time as we can," said Cook.
Cook made a century at the Brabourne Stadium, in his first match on tour as England's permanent Test captain, and will therefore be content to allow others an opportunity to find some form in Mumbai before the four-match series begins in Ahmedabad on November 15.
Cook added: "With Belly [Ian Bell] going home as well for the birth of his first child [during the second Test], we've got to make sure that the batter who's going to come in gets some practice as well. That is the idea of these next two games, to make sure we get as many people as possible some practice."
Among those who will benefit, England hope, is Pietersen. The mercurial batsman made a frenetic 23 in his first innings back, after his summer of discontent and breakdown of relations with management and some senior players.
Swann was depicted in many quarters as one of those with whom Pietersen needed to make his peace before belatedly signing a new central contract and then being added to the squad for this tour.
The off-spinner said: "Kevin's reintegration has been a seamless process, and it needed to happen. Everyone was wondering how it would go and whether it would be as easy as it has been.
"But a lot of credit has to be given to Kevin for the way he has come in. It's just business as usual, and the dressing room is a very happy place this week.
"That's what we need to be; if we are going to have a chance of beating India over here we need to be a very united dressing room."
