England playing better than Australia: Bell
Australia’s stunning reversal of form to win last week’s third Test by 267 runs and level the five-match series at one-all has given Ricky Ponting’s men a massive confidence boost.
“Certainly, they have got some momentum going into the fourth Test,” said Bell. “They played some fantastic cricket at the WACA. But out of the three Test matches I’d say we’ve been playing the better cricket. We’re going to have to start the Test match well. We don’t want Australia winning the first hour or that first session so that we can try and take back a bit of that momentum.”
Bell is second in England’s batting averages for the series and has prompted calls for him to be promoted to number five ahead of Paul Collingwood.
“It’s always nice to get moved up the order,” said Bell. “I’m desperate for an Ashes hundred, there’s no doubt about that. I’m hoping with the way I’m playing there’s one around the corner.”
No bias
The head of the ground staff at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) said there was no conspiracy in his switch of drop-in pitches for the crucial fourth Ashes Test against England. MCG curator Cameron Hodgkins dismissed speculation that he has prepared a Boxing Day Test pitch to give Australia an advantage as the Ashes hang in the balance at one win each.
Meanwhile, Ponting may be leading Australia in Sunday’s Test after completing training without mishap. Ponting fractured the little finger on his left hand during the third Test win in Perth, but said that his chances of playing the Test were “very high”.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2010.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ