England v India: Stuart Broad criticises 'crazy' Test schedule

Broad played all five Tests of the home Ashes series in 2013

England bowler Stuart Broad has criticised the scheduling of England's Test series against India as "crazy".

The sides play five matches over the next six weeks, with the final Test beginning on August 15.

"The schedules are a little bit crazy," Broad said. "In the next 42 days we've got 25 Test-match days, so it doesn't leave a lot of time to rest.

"You have to manage workloads. Will I play all five [matches]? If I do, we've bowled really well."

Despite pronouncing himself fit for the first Test, Broad admitted to ongoing injury troubles ahead of the congested series.

"I've got a bit of a sore knee at the moment," he said. "It's a tendonitis problem, it's a constant annoyance. It will get sorted when there's a window, but I can play cricket with it."

However, the paceman said he was prepared for the prospect of being rested at some point in the series.

"You never want to miss a Test match, it's the worst phone call you can get from the selectors," he said. "But if you get into a 'red zone', you've got a high-percentage chance of getting injured. You're better off missing one Test match than missing 10."

Broad insisted England would not be looking too far ahead as they bid to bounce back from their 1-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka against MS Dhoni's touring side.

"You can't look at the (third Test) Rose Bowl or (the fourth Test) Old Trafford," he said. "It is all about Wednesday and starting well against India. Like we did in 2011, we have to do the same here."

The series begins at Trent Bridge on Wednesday. England won by 319 runs the last time the two sides met at the venue.