Ian Bell joins England practice after recovering from illness

Stuart Broad praised the support he received from Ian Bell (Getty)

Ian Bell has recovered from a stomach upset and was able to practise with his England team-mates today as they completed their preparations for the third Test against Pakistan.

World number ones England have been generally off-colour in a series already lost 2-0.

But with the possibility of a whitewash looming in the final Test, which starts tomorrow, it was a further blow to morale to learn that Bell had succumbed to the illness which had previously affected Jonathan Trott and Ravi Bopara.

The middle-order batsman missed practice yesterday, but England are confident he will be in rude health again in time to face Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Captain Andrew Strauss said: "Bell was laid low yesterday but he's back practising today."

Stomach problems are an occupational hazard for England teams in the Asian subcontinent, and appear to be just as much of an issue in the Middle East too.

"It's one of those things that happens on a different tour of a different country, different foods and everything," Strauss added. "You've got to make the best of the situation and try and avoid it happening to you.

"The other 10 have to step up for 24 hours, until they get better."

PA