He faced a sterner Test from the South African attack early this morning and it was pleasing to see him get there, even if he did nick off soon after.
"For me now, as captain, it is about focusing everything, all my energy, on giving back to Warwickshire, the players and our tactics," says Bell. "I don't want to nick off at the Rose Bowl and think: 'That's another knockdown, I can't get back in the England side' because it's not about that.
"We don't have one in our side but hopefully we can get Pietersen to nick off before the spinners come on," he adds, in wry fashion.
As an opener I think he's going to nick off a lot, and we saw in England that Australia really did have his number.
Yet he appears to be somewhat sensitive about his decision to nick off but not nick off at Trent Bridge.
The ball nicked off Coloccini and Zaha left it for Bolasie to shoot crisply past Elliot.
This brings all three main modes of dismissal into play: nicking off, LBW and bowled.
The concerning news is that Munster, somehow, did nick one in defeat.
Shakespeare did nick most of his plots, too, though, so I suppose it's OK.
"That's something I want to do," Nicks said.
