KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's batsmen have been kneecapped in their England test preparations by the domestic schedule this season.
One-day cricket has ruled since the start of the year. Matthew Bell's last first-class innings, before his 40 for the New Zealand Selection against England in Dunedin on Thursday, was in early January.
But he is philosophical before the first test, starting at Hamilton's Seddon Park on Wednesday.
The Wellington opener - whose rousing first-class form before Christmas, averaging 103 from his first four games, set up a test recall after six years' absence - knows it is far from a perfect foundation for what lies ahead.
"In an ideal world you'd have two or three games and I probably feel a little underdone in terms of the one-day diet, but you roll with the punches and get on with it," Bell said last night.
Switching from limited-over games to the real thing tests batsmen on physical and mental levels.
"You're going to have to be more patient and deliberate, and more decisive about everything you do. There's going to be areas of give and take, where the bowlers are going to have good periods, and you've got to respect that, then hopefully you'll have your own good periods."
He hit his second test 100 against Bangladesh in Dunedin but acknowledged that the challenge presented by Matthew Hoggard, Ryan Sidebottom and co is a couple of rungs up from Mashrafe Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan and their chums in January.
And so he was grateful for the chance to face the English in Dunedin, and in tandem with his test opening partner, the recalled Jamie How.
"Obviously they had a look at me too, but you get a feel of their actions, certain areas they bowl, the field placings they're looking to set and it was about getting a little bit of confidence leading into the test matches." How took strong one-day form to Dunedin, hitting 65. "Jamie's in a really good head space, and when you've got a guy in form at the other end it takes the pressure off and you can go about your business," Bell said.
Bell's first-class average is a decent 37.57. He can set up a second international innings, after being unwanted since touring Australia in 2001, starting this week.
