Vaughan backs Bell for bright future

Ian Bell impressed with a century against Bangladesh © Getty Images

Ian Bell has gone a long way in the npower Test series against Bangladesh towards convincing his international captain Michael Vaughan he is an England batsman for this summer’s Ashes and beyond.

After England had wrapped up a 2-0 series victory early on day three of the second npower Test at Chester-le-Street, Vaughan gave a confident appraisal of Bell’s progress following a series in which the Warwickshire youngster was required to bat twice, unbeaten in making 65 at Lord’s and then 162 at the Riverside.

Bell’s maiden hundred helped the hosts post 447 for three declared - plenty of runs to secure an innings victory, notwithstanding Bangladesh’s improved batting as they mustered 316 all out second time round for their best total against England in the four Tests the two countries have now contested.

Vaughan has therefore seen enough from Bell - who also made 70 on debut against the West Indies at The Brit Oval last year - to believe the 23-year-old has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

Michael Vaughan is backing Bell to succeed at international level © Getty Images

“I thought he coped with it well last year against the West Indies and has looked the part on tours we have had too,” said the England captain.

“Only time will tell when the real pressure is on. But we hope he can handle the big stage, and I am pretty confident he can.”

Vaughan was also satisfied on the whole with the form of his four-man pace attack - although if he does have qualms they concern Matthew Hoggard, ironically named man of the match for his eight wickets in the second Test.

Hoggard ran through the last five wickets to fall for Bangladesh, profiting from a long stint with the old ball after he had been less successful early on, and Vaughan is open to the suggestion his Yorkshire team-mate may find himself used in similar circumstances against Australia.

“You have to be realistic, and in these conditions the new ball in England sometimes does not swing for 10 overs or so,” he reasoned.

“If that happens it is a ploy we might persist with, taking Matthew off if it is not swinging and then bringing him back later.”

Matthew Hoggard was man of the match at the Riverside

Either way, Hoggard was not always at his best in Durham - even though he was statistically far and away England’s top bowler - and was also guilty of giving away extras by over-stepping the crease.

“He is the first to admit that over the two games he was struggling for a bit of rhythm,” said Vaughan. “He has to get that right and he has to get that no-ball problem sorted out too.”

There was nonetheless plenty of cause for optimism with bat and ball, after England had recorded a fifth successive Test series victory in preparation for taking on Australia in the Ashes which start at Lord’s next month.

“The first-innings bowling here was exceptional, I thought, that quartet doing very well as a unit - and we will need that throughout the summer,” said Vaughan.

“The top five (batsmen) had plenty of time in the middle. I was slightly disappointed Freddie [Andrew Flintoff] and Geraint (Jones) did not get a knock, but we will make sure they get plenty of practice going into the Ashes.

“We have to make sure we hit (the first Test on) July 21 with everybody playing well and a team full of confidence.”

Captain Habibul Bashar - one of three Bangladeshis to make a second-innings half-century at Chester-le-Street - gives England “a fair chance” against Australia.

Bangladesh have now lost 2-0 - by an innings in each Test - in recent outings against both Ashes contenders, and Habibul said: “England are in top form, and we found it difficult against them.

“They are a professional and very confident team. We played better against Australia, but they are two well-matched sides.”

Listen to our exclusive audio from Riverside:

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• England wrap up series win
• Bashar disappointed but philosophical