'Good opportunity for replacements'

“There are some players (in this Indian squad) who have a lot to play for,” Bell said on Monday when asked if India can remain as competitive in the injury-forced absence of several senior players. “I can imagine the team they have when fully fit. It is very difficult to break in, so there will be some guys who are desperate to take wickets and score runs because it is an opportunity. Any Indian team will have a lot of ability and talent, whether it’s a young or an experienced team. It will still be a very good game regardless of the injuries. There should be a lot of good cricket coming up.”

The middle-order batsman, who tormented India in the Test series with a century and a double century, scored a ton when the two sides met here last in 2007 as India suffered a heavy defeat.

“I’ve enjoyed playing here, it’s a good wicket,” noted the Warwickshire batsman. “You get that extra pace and bounce which is what you like, so it’s a good place to bat. The wicket against Sri Lanka in the Test was good for the bowlers as well. It’s good to go to places where you’ve done well in the past. I’ve always enjoyed coming here and batting and scoring runs. I am looking forward to tomorrow if the weather is good,” he elaborated.

After attaining the number one ranking in Tests, Bell said, England’s aim would be to repeat the feat in one-dayers as well.

“We’re trying everything we can to improve,” he pointed out. “We’re working really hard.

We’ve got a good, talented young squad that can push us forward again. We’re always looking to improve, whether it’s with the bat or with the ball, death bowling.

Watching the T20 the other day, it looks like we’ve got some players who can really bowl well at the back end, and if we go to India, with the reverse-swinging ball and slower balls becoming so important, it looks like we’ve got an attack which can do that. If we keep (doing) that, I’m hoping it will be exactly the same as in Tests.”