Bell wants big role in batting battle

STRUGGLING England batsman Ian Bell, pictured, is backing himself to come good at number three in this week’s third Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston.

The 33-year-old, under pressure for his place after a poor run of form, will move up the order in place of the axed Gary Ballance on his home ground.

“For me it’s about performing,” Bell told BBC Sport. “W h e t h e r you’re batting three, four or five you’ve got to score hundreds and I’m looking forward to that challenge.

“I know that when I play at my best I’m a world-class cricketer.”

Bell has made 117 runs in the last six Tests.

“It’s a brutal environment, international sport,” he said.

Bell, who averages 43.18 in 112 Tests, made the last of his 22 Test centuries against the West Indies in April.

“I went from a hundred in Antigua to a little tricky run. Who’s to say that there’s not a hundred round the corner and I go off on a good run?” he said.

Bell believes confidence is high in the England camp despite the 405-run drubbing by the Australians in the second Test at Lord’s, which levelled the five-match series at 1-1.

“People wrote us off for this Test series, said it was going to be 5-0, but we performed brilliantly in Cardiff,” Bell said.

“We were poor at Lord’s, but there’s no reason why we can’t turn it round at Edgbaston.” Meanwhile, England seamer Mark Wood said England would continue to bowl bouncers at Au s t r a l i a n batsman Chris Rogers if the opener was passed fit for this week’s third Ashes Test.

Rogers was forced to retire on 49 not out on the fourth day of Australia’s 405-run second test victory against England at Lord’s, which levelled the series 1-1. The 37-year-old left-hander, who was struck on the helmet by James Anderson off the first ball of the second day of the match but recovered to score 173 in Australia’s first innings, was later diagnosed with an inner ear problem.

Wood told the Telegraph: “… that will not deter me from bowling a bouncer… I’m sure the rest of our lads will be the same.

“I don’t wish him any harm. But if he’s fit then he’s fit.”

Batsman Shaun Marsh, 32, is on standby to replace Rogers should he be unfit for the third test which starts today (Wednesday).