We can overcome Vaughan loss - Bell

Ian Bell, the batsman likely to replace Michael Vaughan in the England line-up for the first Test in Multan, has said the strength of the current squad will be able to overcome the blow of losing their captain.

Bell failed in both innings of the first warm-up match, against the Patron's XI, but is now set to retain his place in the side and gain a promotion to No. 3.

"When your captain goes down it is not a great thing," Bell told Sky Sports News."But we have a good squad and we hope all the guys who are not involved stay ready in case they are needed. We have enjoyed every minute of the tour so far - when you are in this part of the world you have to adapt very quickly."

Meanwhile, Andrew Flintoff played down England's unconvincing start to the tour, saying that when the first morning comes around in Multan the team will be fully focused. "On Saturday there will be a different attitude towards the game, we've got a proud record which we want to protect and we want to get better.

He is also preparing himself for a different style of play in Pakistan rather than the high velocity action of the Ashes series. "The wicket does look pretty much like a Pakistani wicket," said Flintoff as he visited a Children's Village in Multan. "We bowled on it and there wasn't a great deal of bounce or pace so we're not just going to have to bat well, we have to bowl well.

"It's going to be a test of patience more than anything. In foreign conditions it is more of a war of attrition and more testing in some ways. You have got to be up for that."