Bell "will bat at four", Strauss confirms
Ian Bell will bat at four in the third Test at Edgbaston
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By inthenews. |  |
Monday, 27, Jul 2009 03:34
Ian Bell will be a direct replacement for the injured Kevin Pietersen batting at number four for England in the third Ashes Test match at Edgbaston.
Warwickshire number three Bell will drop one spot in the order when he is promoted to the international scene because of an Achilles injury that has ended Pietersen's participation this summer.
The move was confirmed by captain Andrew Strauss at a press conference today, and the opener said he is "excited" by the prospect of welcoming Bell back into the team.
"He's in good form at the moment and deserves the call-up and he'll be excited about coming in on his home ground," the skipper explained.
"He's had to work hard to get his place back and he's done well in county cricket."
Pietersen was ruled out of the rest of the series last week after being forced to undergo ankle surgery to correct his ongoing Achilles troubles.
And despite going 1-0 down after a 115-run defeat at Lord's a week ago, Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes his side will be buoyed by seeing Bell coming in as the man to replace Pietersen.
"[Pietersen] is a massive loss," Ponting told The Australian newspaper.
"He's such an x-factor and he leaves a pretty big hole in their batting. For us it will be a real positive."
He continued: "Now England have a much more sound, technically correct, but scratchy player like Bell.
"If we happen to get him in at the right time he's a pretty nervous sort of bloke as well."
Bell has played in ten Test matches against Australia, including every one of the last two Ashes series in 2005 and 2006/07. His average against the baggy green is just 25, while his overall Test average is above 40.
The third Test begins at Edgbaston on Thursday July 30th.
Alistair Potter