Bell passed fit to join England academy

Warwickshire's Ian Bell has been declared fit to join his fellow England hopefuls at the ECB's Academy in Adelaide this month.

Bell, 20, has spent the last three months recuperating from a fracture in his lower back, but has now been given the all-clear and he will fly out to Australia on Thursday.

Bell said: "I am certainly looking forward to two weeks intensive coaching from Warwickshire's new coach, John Inverarity before linking up with my colleagues at the Academy and going on to tour Sri Lanka.

"Naturally slightly longer term it is my ambition to break into the Test team, but given the opportunity I would jump at the chance of playing against the Australians."

Bell, a former England Under-19 captain who won a gold award in last year's Benson and Hedges Cup Final, has also agreed a two-year deal with cricket manufacturer Slazenger.

"After my recent injury worries it is nice to have some positive news - hopefully my relationship with Slazenger will prove very profitable in terms of runs," Bell added.

"However the next three months are crucial to me, as I start my preparations for the 2003 domestic season."