Bell unperturbed by defeat in warm-up tie

Jaipur, Mar 25 (UNI) England may have lost their warm-up tie against the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) President's XI here today but Ian Bell asserts that the result would have no bearing on the seven-match ODI series against India.

England's top scorer with 71, Bell said, ''Today's defeat is not going to have any effect on our morale which is quite high aftervictory in the Mumbai test.'' He attributed the defeat to four run outs that left his side five-run short of the rivals' total.

''In fact four run outs made all the difference in the match.

Besides, I should have stayed more at the wicket and Kabir Ali should have used the long handle much before he did,'' he told reporters.

Kabir threatened to run away with the match with two sixes at death but James Anderson's run out dropped curtains on the English innings.

Bell also felt he should go up in the battig order but said he was not sure of his place in the side for the one-dayers.

Bell also felt that India would roll out slow pitches and this match was a good practice for his side.

''After playing here, we presume we will be playing on wickets like this and we are prepared for that,'' he said.

UNI MY AY BD2005