Bell: We'll be ready, despite rain delays

England

England batsman Ian Bell isn't too worried about the lack of time in the middle in the build-up to the first Ashes Test, saying rain delays and such will not affect their mental preparations.

England batsman Ian Bell isn't too worried about the lack of time in the middle in the build-up to the first Ashes Test, saying rain delays and such will not affect their mental preparations.

Bell made a century in the first tour game against a Western Australia XI, but didn't get to bat much in the second game as rain reduced the fixture against Australia A by half, with days two and three rained off.

The final warm-up will be against an Aussie invitational side in Sydney this week, but it looks like rain will again have a big say, with the players unable to train outside in the build-up already.

Bell said of the shortened preparations: "It is out of our control. If we focus too much on it then it can get in your head a little bit but for us we've got what we've got so I don't think it worries too many people.

"We've a lot of experienced people in the team that can cope with that. Everyone will be 100 per cent ready for Brisbane.

"Ideally it is good to have time in the middle. I've always said it is better to spend time out there than just in the nets.

"I don't know if there is a right amount of time but if you can get some runs under your belt it gives you a lot confidence heading into the series.

"But individually and as a team I have been involved in tours where you've gone out and scored a lot of runs in the warm-up games and not so many in the series and then gone into a series with nothing under your but gone on to have a great series.

"I think it is more about the mental side and getting as prepared as you can."

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