Bell made 126 as England beat the tourists under the Duckworth/Lewis method in a rain-affected series opener at the Rose Bowl to go 1-0 up in the three-match series ahead of tomorrow’s clash at The Oval.

The 30-year-old’s innings, the cornerstone of England’s 288 for six, came just a day after he’d to have stitches inserted into a chin wound after being struck in the face while batting in the indoor nets.