England and India are set to endure the most exhausting Test series in recent memory. Five matches is intimidating for players in itself, with a mere seven of England’s last 30 series consisting of that number of games, but it is the schedule and expected conditions which will push both teams’ physical fitness and psychological fortitude to the limit.

The five matches have been crammed into just 42 days, from today until September 11, the shortest ever time period for a series of this length. Throw in the fact that England is in the midst of a sweltering heat wave - temperartures in Birmingham are expected to hit 30C on days three, four and five - and it is clear that the two sides are in for an arduous six weeks.

For the home side in particular, the tight schedule and extraordinary weather are far from ideal. Bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson may be the most experienced opening pair in world cricket but, aged 32 and 35 respectively, they are also perhaps the greatest injury risks.