Ian Bell fit for third Test
02/02/2012
Ian Bell will be fit for the third and final Test of England's series against Pakistan in the UAE.
The Warwickshire batsman has been passed fit to play after overcoming a stomach bug, something Jonathan Trott and Ravi Bopara have also been suffering from.
"Bell was laid low yesterday but he's back practising today," said captain Andrew Strauss.
But it is runs of another kind that England's batsmen will be looking for in Dubai as they aim to avoid a whitewash and bounce back from their Abu Dhabi calamity, when England were bowled out for just 72 chasing 145 to win.
Fans enjoying hospitality packages at the Kia Oval for the Test against South Africa this summer may hope to see Bell back in the form that saw him make his highest Test score of 235 against India last year.
If England lose the final Test they may concede their place at the top of the Test rankings to South Africa, should they in turn win all three Tests of their upcoming tour to New Zealand.
By Keith Prowse