Freddie ready as Bell lands Edgbaston call

England chiefs have called up Ian Bell to replace Kevin Pietersen for the third Ashes Test as expected, while injured all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is again in line to play a starring role against the Australians.

Warwickshire batsman Bell has been called up for Thursday’s clash at his home ground of Edgbaston after batsman Pietersen was ruled out of the series following an Achilles operation.

Despite the Pietersen blow, there is relief in the camp that Flintoff is in the mix with three matches left before he calls it a day on Test cricket.

Flintoff’s fantastic ten-over spell in the final day at Lord’s last week was the catalyst as England wrapped up a 115-run win to take a 1-0 series lead.

The Lancashire man claimed a five-wicket haul despite struggling with knee trouble, and national selector Geoff Miller is confident the talisman will be on the mark again - although he warned England would not gamble on his fitness.

Miller explained: “Andrew’s performance at Lord’s was truly memorable and we are hopeful he can take his place in the side as he continues to manage his knee injury. “Andrew and the medical staff are quite bullish about his prospects but we’ll continue to monitor his progress in the days leading up to Thursday.”

England would not elaborate on whether Bell would come straight in at four to cover Pietersen or if a reshuffle of the batting order was going to be on the cards.

The 27-year-old was dropped after some poor performances in the Caribbean, but he has hit back in fine style on the county scene.

He has only averaged 25 against Australia in Test cricket previously, but Miller said: “Kevin’s injury has presented an opportunity for Ian Bell who we know is a top-class batsmen with an excellent record for England. “Although we haven’t named any extra batting cover we have several options should the need arise. “Ian will be looking to make the most of his return to the side during an Ashes series and while we have a strong idea of where he will bat, we won’t be disclosing the final line-up until the toss.”

Pietersen admitted the mental anguish at missing out on the Aussie series was just as bad as the physical pain. That physical side of things was serious, too, considering the South African needed an epidural injection to get through the first Test.

Pietersen said: “On Friday I was in so much agony I had to call the medical team and ask them to give me something to combat it. “Whatever the physical pain, it’s nothing compared to the mental. To be out of an Ashes series is terrible, so bad I can hardly put it into words.”

Pietersen is confident his replacement Bell will be an able replacement.

He said: “Being left out was hard for him, it’s been tough but I think he’ll use this opportunity well. I don’t see him struggling in the next three Test matches.”

Durham fast bowler Stephen Harmison and Northants spinner Monty Panesar are also in the 13-man squad.

Categorized | Entertainment News, Sports News

Tags : australia, australians, cards, final, fitness, kevin-pietersen, medical, mental, monty-panesar, physical, pietersen

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