• England v New Zealand, 2nd Investec Test, Headingley

Bell cleared to play in second Test

Ian Bell had been suffering with tonsillitis © Getty Images

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England have named an unchanged 12-man squad for the second Test against New Zealand at Headingley, following their 170-run victory at Lord's, after Ian Bell recovered from the illness that hampered him in the opening contest.

Bell was diagnosed with tonsillitis which kept him off the field for the majority of the game following his first-innings 31 on the opening day. He batted at No. 8 in the second innings.

Tim Bresnan, on his homeground, will again be vying for the final pace-bowling slot alongside Steven Finn, who took four wickets in the first innings at Lord's but was inconsistent. If Bresnan does play his first Test since last December it would mean three Yorkshire cricketers in the side with Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow part of the top order.

Geoff Miller, the national selector, said: "I thought the team showed a lot of fighting spirit when under pressure to set up the victory. We are aware that there are still areas that we need to improve on and the players and coaches will be working hard ahead of the second Test."

Finn was not required in the second innings, when New Zealand crumbled for 68, as England needed just two bowlers through an all-out innings for the first time since 1936. A few minutes after the win was completed, Finn was back out in the middle bowling on an adjacent pitch under the watchful eye of bowling coach David Saker.

"He probably isn't bowling as well as he could, but he's getting wickets," Saker said. "He's got that knack of getting wickets. He's got the pace. We're just working on a few little things but I'm sure he'll be all right and confident by Leeds."

There have been some high scores at Headingley this season and the batsmen from both sides will hope for slightly more favourable conditions. In the Championship match against Derbyshire, Yorkshire made 677 for 7, which included a double century from Root and Bairstow's 186. The pair also added 231 for the fourth wicket. In the same match, Chesney Hughes, the Derbyshire opener, hit an unbeaten 270.

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