Stuart Broad backs failing England captain Alastair Cook

Cook seemed set for a good day after a four-wicket blitz in the afternoon session saw England reduce India to 346-9 in the first Test at Trent Bridge.

However, the tourists piled on a further 111 runs in a superb 10th-wicket stand between Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, who batted at nine and 11.

England eventually dismissed Bhuvneshwar for 58, yet opener Cook managed just five in the reply before being bowled by Shami via an unlikely ricochet off his thigh pad.

That added to the pressure on England's much-maligned skipper, who is enduring a dreadful run of form.

"Cookie is going through one of those periods where everything is going against him," Broad told BBC Sport.

"But it only takes a dropped catch or a great cover drive to change that. I'd put a lot of money on him getting a hundred in these next Tests."

England were at 43-1 by stumps, still trailing by 414, and Broad realises they must take advantage of a flat wicket on Friday.

"Friday is a really big day for us because it's all right saying the wicket is pretty flat and slow, but you can't really comment on a wicket until both teams have batted on it," Broad added.

"If we end the day tomorrow on 300 for four then it's a flat wicket. If we're 150 all out it's not.

"It's a big day for us and we just have to try and bat as big as we can."