Batsman Ian Bell switched his focus to Test cricket, as England prepared for their three-match affair against New Zealand this week.

Bell enjoyed a solid stretch of form in the the ODI leg of the tour, fetching 132 runs from three innings at an average of 44.00, which contributed to the the tourists' two-one series win.

He has since joined opener Nick Compton, batsman Kevin Pietersen, wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior, seamer Graham Onions and spinner Monty Panesar, none of whom played in the limited-overs series, in Queenstown - ahead of a four-day tour fixture against a New Zealand XI.

"It's about getting your tempo right, getting back into those routines and hopefully we can do those quickly so we can hit the ground running. We always look to win these warm-up matches as that helps create momentum going into the Tests series," said Bell.

"In New Zealand, it's more like playing in English conditions, so it's quite familiar to us. In India, it was great because the way we had to bat and bowl was different to home. We don't want to go away from what we do well."

Pietersen was rested for the Twenty20 Internationals and ODIs, and will be eager to pick up on the fine form that brought him two half-tons and a big century against the Indians late last year.

"Obviously, Pietersen, he brings in energy and obviously quality to the squad as well, so yeah it's good to have him back and it's just as normal really," added Bell, who refused to underestimate an opposition a full six positions inferior in the ICC Test rankings.

"We've still got to earn the rights. Test cricket, it's hard to win a Test match and you can't just turn up and win, you have to do the hard yards and we expect to do that," he concluded.