Bell set for England recall

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LONDON, Jul 25 (AFP): Ian Bell is set to return to England's Test team next week at his Edgbaston home ground after star batsman Kevin Pietersen was ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series with an Achilles problem.
Bell (27) may have been out for a duck against Hampshire Friday, in a match where he only made seven in the first innings, but he has long been regarded as the 'next man in line' should England need to alter their batting line-up.
The Warwickshire batsman was included in the squads, but not picked for the final XI, in both of the first two Tests against Australia.
England are currently 1-0 up in the series, following a draw in Cardiff and their 115- run win at Lord's last week.
They are due to announce a 13-man squad Sunday for the third Test of the five- match series and England national selector Geoff Miller paved the way for Bell's return by saying Friday the extra two places were likely to be taken by additional bowlers, rather than batsmen.
Bell played the last of his 46 Tests against the West Indies in Jamaica in February but was dropped after a run of low scores, with Ravi Bopara taking over in England's problem position of No 3.
However, Bell has scored heavily in the County Championship with 640 runs in his seven innings this seaon prior to the double Hampshire disappointment.
But his record against Australia is mediocre, with his 502 runs in 10 Ashes Tests coming at a low average of 25.10.
This week England coach Andy Flower made it clear Bell was in line to take over should Pietersen be ruled out and Miller backed that view Friday by saying of the need for extra batting cover.
"There are no (more) injury problems as such, so we probably won't need to do that.
"We had question marks to cover in the last squad but I don't foresee needing to do that here," the former England off-spinner added.
England will continue to monitor the fitness of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. The fast bowler led England's attack at Lord's, taking five wickets in the second innings after announcing this would be his final Test series.
However, the injury-plagued all-rounder has been troubled recently by a knee problem.