Bell looks to use Ashes series to prove his critics wrong

Bell can trace an impressive run of form back to his 140 in England's Christmas Test victory over South Africa in Durban last year.

Only a mid-summer foot injury has interrupted his progress since. But the 28-year-old has returned still on top of his game in the handful of matches available to him for Warwickshire – and also had time for two one-day international appearances against Pakistan, before being named in the Ashes squad.

"For me, this has come at the right time in my career," he believes. "In the past maybe I haven't played as well as I should have done against Australia.

"But I hope I can start putting more performances in."

Bell's career average in the low 40s contains what many have perceived cheaper Test runs against the likes of Bangladesh, and contrasts with a mean of only 25 against Australia.

He knows he has a point to prove, and could have a pivotal role too this winter.

As a likely selection for England's first tour match against Western Australia tomorrow, runs at the WACA would be an ideal opening gambit for Bell. "Over the last 18 months, my cricket has just got better and better," he said.

"Everyone has been asking for performances under pressure from me. I've started to do that, and I hope I can carry on in this series.

"I think I'm an improved cricketer over the last 18 months to two years, and this is another great challenge on the way.

"Obviously this is a big series for me personally, and for the team, but I'm just going to keep working hard and get myself as ready and fit as possible."

England team, v Western Australia at the WACA starting at 0230 GMT on November 5 (from): AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, IR Bell, MJ Prior (wkt), SCJ Broad, GP Swann, ST Finn, JM Anderson, EJG Morgan, CT Tremlett.

A world-record ninth-wicket stand of 132 between all-rounder Angelo Mathews (77no) and paceman Lasith Malinga earned Sri Lanka victory in the first one-day international against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The three Pakistan players involved in the spot-fixing controversy have had their central contracts suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

A PCB official confirmed that Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif's deals were suspended after a failed appeal against their provisional bans by the ICC on Sunday.

The three players were provisionally suspended on September 2 after they were allegedly involved in a plot to bowl no-balls to demand during the fourth Test.