England back in the groove at opening net session

England were minus only Alastair Cook, on leave of absence following his wedding five days ago, for their first net practice in Dubai yesterday morning.

The opener is set to join his colleagues today and will be brought up to speed on outstanding practice facilities at the International Cricket Council’s global academy.

Ian Bell was certainly among those impressed as England returned from two months of relative inactivity, following their unsuccessful one-day international tour of India, to prepare for series in all three formats against Pakistan here.

England begin their warm-up programme with a three-day match against an ICC Combined Associate and Affiliate XI, captained by Ireland’s Will Porterfield, this weekend.

Bell, who made a double century against India in his last Test innings at The Oval, is delighted to be back to work. “It’s nice to have had a break. But a month or two into it, you’re itching to get back in the nets and practise,” he said. “It was brilliant to get out there. We’re lucky to be able to use these facilities in preparation for a Test series – it is exactly what you need. We’re going to enjoy the next week of preparation.”

England know they will face a stern examination of their new-found number one Test status against the ‘hosts’, forced to take on the world in a neutral venue but who have already proved formidable opponents here.

“Pakistan have been playing some really good cricket, and obviously know these grounds pretty well, having played here for a while now,” added Bell. “It’s going to be a tough series.”