An early exit from the T20 World Cup gave India more time to prepare for the red-ball game, which takes place at the 'Home of Cricket', 142 years after the first men's Test was staged at the iconic venue.

The Indian team trained at the picturesque Wormsley Cricket Ground for its second red-ball game this year, having played a Test in Australia in March

Head coach Amol Mujumdar said the prospect of taking the field for the first-ever Test at Lord''s excited the players even before the start of the preceding T20 World Cup.

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Varma had opened in India''s previous Test Down Under, and the same is expected against England. Priya Punia has been drafted into the squad as a replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal.

Test matches in women''s cricket take place far and few in between, but India have a favourable record against England in the format. India have won the last three out of four games against the hosts and have yet to lose a Test in England (two wins, seven draws).