Ian Bell keen to keep England ODI opening role
Jan 22 2013 - 09:10:20
England's Ian Bell is keen to continue as an opener in one-day internationals.
Bell made 85 in the first ODI against India but England have lost the last two matches and need to win in Mohali on Wednesday to keep the series alive.
"It's where I want to bat, at the top of the order, but we've got a lot of flexibility in this team," he said.
"It suits my game. With the two new balls now you have to be able to get through the first few overs and we have the firepower in that middle order."
Bell, 30, has played 122 one-day internationals for England since making his debut with Kevin Pietersen against Zimbabwe in 2004.
The Warwickshire strokeplayer, who has a Test average of 46, has scored 3,894 ODI runs at an average of 36, with 1,485 of those coming from 42 matches as an opener, at an average of 39.
