Key England batsman Ian Bell insists the tourists aren’t fretting over a disrupted Ashes preparation, with vice-captain Matt Prior ruled out of the final lead-up game and more bad weather forecast.
Wicketkeeper Prior will miss the four-day game against an Invitational XI starting on Wednesday at the SCG, after suffering a low grade tear to a calf muscle in the tour game against Australia A in Hobart.
Middle order batsman and back-up wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow will replace him for the side’s final Ashes tune-up ahead of the series opener which starts in Brisbane on Thursday week.
Scans revealed the extent of Prior’s injury, with team officials hoping he’d be fit for the Gabba clash.
“It’s not ideal, but it gives some good opportunity to Jonny Bairstow,” Bell said on Monday.
“We’ve seen in the past how important it is to get the whole of the squad playing cricket before the series starts.
“Because you never know, with five Test matches it’s important everybody gets some cricket under their belt.
“It’s disappointing … Matt is a key part of our success over the last few years and obviously we want him recovered as quick as possible.
“But there’s still a bit of time. Matt has got himself in fantastic condition for this tour and he’ll be very good with his rehab so we’ve got every faith that he’ll be fully fit for Brisbane.”
Bell was optimistic teammate Kevin Pietersen would be fit for this week’s game after receiving a cortisone injection for a knee complaint.
“I don’t know the XI, but I would have thought he’s definitely up for selection and I would have definitely thought he will play,” Bell said.
England lost two full days of their game against Australia A due to rain and steady drizzle in Sydney forced them indoors on Monday.
More rain is forecast, particularly for the final two days of the SCG game, and Bell conceded England weren’t having the ideal preparation they enjoyed prior to the triumphant 2010-11 Ashes campaign in Australia.
“It’s out of our control, I think if we focus too much on that then that can get in your bubble a little bit,” Bell said.
“But I think for us we’ve got what we’ve got, I don’t think it worries too many people.
“We’ve got a lot of experience in the team that can cope with that and everyone will be 100 per cent ready for Brisbane, no doubt.”
