Ian Bell backs England to win first Ashes Test after setting Australia a target of 412

  • Australia need 412 runs to win the first Ashes Test of this summer
  • Having not been in particularly good form, Ian Bell hit a timely 60 on Friday
  • Australia's off-spinner Nathan Lyon still feels the tourists could pull off what would be the highest successful run-chase in Ashes cricket
  • England close in on Cardiff victory - Paul Newman's day three report

By Lawrence Booth for the Daily Mail

Published: 13:39 EST, 10 July 2015 | Updated: 19:14 EST, 10 July 2015

Ian Bell backed England to complete the job in the first Ashes Test in Cardiff after Australia were set an imposing 412 for victory – six runs short of the Test record.

Bell made an attractive 60 as England raced along at 4.11 an over to make 289 in their second innings after their bowlers had earned them a crucial lead of 122.

'The first three days have given us a lot of belief,' he said. 'It's been brilliant. We have to make sure tomorrow is exactly the same.

England batsman Ian Bell made an attractive 60 on the third day of the first Ashes Test in Cardiff

England batsman Ian Bell made an attractive 60 on the third day of the first Ashes Test in Cardiff

After stumps Bell said that the first three days had given England a lot of belief to kick on in the series

After stumps Bell said that the first three days had given England a lot of belief to kick on in the series

'We know Australia are going to keep coming back at us, and we know we've got a lot of hard work to do. 

'But if we bowl like we did in the first 10 overs on the third morning, we know our bowlers have got the skills to take 20 wickets.'

Bell's innings brought to an end a miserable sequence in which he had managed only 56 runs in nine Test knocks and looked increasingly fretful at the crease. 

Asked if he had been worried about his form, he replied: 'I was actually. It's been a testing period for me, these last four or five Test matches.

'You have to dig deep, look right inside and work really hard. 

'It was nice to play something like my best and put us in a good position.'

Mitchell Johnson eventually bowled out Bell and is seen here celebrating in front of the Englishman

Mitchell Johnson eventually bowled out Bell and is seen here celebrating in front of the Englishman

He also shared in crucial stands of 51 with Adam Lyth for the third wicket after England had slipped to 22 for two, and 97 for the fourth with the irrepressible Joe Root.

Those 148 runs came in only 30 overs – the equivalent of a session – as Bell went for Australia's bowling in a manner reminiscent of his performance against them in 2013, when he made three hundreds and was named man of the series.

And he was full of praise for the influence of the younger generation in the England dressing-room, with runs flowing in this Test at more than four an over. 

'There's a slightly different way of seeing the game,' he said. 

'These guys want to take every option on.'

Nathan Lyon, who finished with four for 75, took England's final wicket, bowling out No 11 Jimmy Anderson

Nathan Lyon, who finished with four for 75, took England's final wicket, bowling out No 11 Jimmy Anderson

But Australia's off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who finished with four for 75, insisted that the tourists could pull off what would be the highest successful run-chase in Ashes cricket, beating the Australians' 404 for three at Headingley in 1948.

'If we bat two days we win the game,' he said. 

'We've got to learn from our first innings. 

Chris Wood took the wicket of Lyon, trapping the No 7 leg before wicket

Chris Wood took the wicket of Lyon, trapping the No 7 leg before wicket

Our batsmen have to be more hungry, and turn thirties into big hundreds. So we definitely have a chance.

'Records are there to be broken. We bat right down to 11 so there's no reason we can't get these runs.'

Test Match Special’s Geoff Boycott has ruled out Australia’s chances of winning, saying: ‘There is no way they are going to get 412, not a cat in hell’s chance.’ 

 

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