Bell: Picked up an injury playing touch-rugby

I think the guys have been playing well the last couple of games, so there is some confidence in the camp

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori
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England have been hit by an injury scare ahead of the fourth match in the NatWest Series against New Zealand after Ian Bell was hurt playing touch-rugby.

The opening batsman tweaked a knee while participating in a game with his team-mates on the outfield at The Oval.

Bell was forced to sit out the subsequent net sessions as England decided against taking any risks ahead of such a pivotal game in the series.

With the Black Caps levelling it at 1-1 thanks to a thrilling victory in a low-scoring contest at Bristol on Saturday, there is all to play for heading into the final two matches.

Alastair Cook, who had been due to play for Essex in the Twenty20 Cup against Sussex on Tuesday evening, has remained with the squad in case England need to make a change at the top of the order.

Duo return

There is better news for the hosts over seamer Ryan Sidebottom, who is expected to be fit after missing the previous two contests with a back problem.

New Zealand have also received an injury boost themselves with the news that Jacob Oram has recovered from a hamstring injury.

The big-hitting all-rounder was initially expected to play only as a batter but has been deemed fit enough to bowl as well.

"He's one of the best one-day players in the world, when you get good players back team confidence just goes up more and more," skipper Daniel Vettori said.

Despite Oram's return Grant Elliott, who was called up from playing club cricket for Weybridge, is expected to keep his place in the starting XI.

The South African-born all-rounder made his maiden international half-century at the weekend, helping the Kiwis recover from 49-5 to post a match-winning total of 182.

He also picked up two wickets with the ball later in the day, following on from his 3-23 in the rain-ruined fixture at Edgbaston, as England were bowled out for 160 in reply.

Confidence

With both Oram and Elliott included, wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins is likely to be left out, meaning Brendon McCullum will don the gloves again after playing as a batsmen only in the first three games.

Captain Vettori admits confidence is high in the camp that the Kiwis can continue their good form but expects their opponents to come back hard.

"I think the guys have been playing well the last couple of games, so there is some confidence in the camp," he added.

"We understand that England are going to come back hard at us. I'm sure Sidebottom, if fit, is going to come back into the squad and that adds another dimension."