Ian Bell Cleared Of Serious Wrist Injury

Ian Bell Cleared Of Serious Wrist Injury

Ian Bell (right) his now expected to be available for England's first Test against Pakistan in Dubai

©REUTERS / Action Images

England batsman Ian Bell underwent an x-ray on the eve of the opening Test against Pakistan after he was struck on the left wrist during training.

However, he was subsequently cleared of serious injury ahead of the first of three Test matches, which gets underway in Dubai on 17th January.

England, bidding to retain their number one status know that they will be at number one in the ICC Test rankings at the yearly cut-off point of 1st April if they win one Test or avoid defeat by more than one Test against Pakistan.

Maintaining their number one status would earn them a bonus of $US 175,000.

While England fans will be concerned with the blow to key batsman Bell, there was better news for them in the bowling department as Stuart Broad came through a full training session.

He had been struck on the foot during a net session.

© Cricket World 2012