Bell positive after day one

Aug 21 2009

England batsman Ian Bell claims there is plenty of reason for optimism after a difficult first day of the fifth and final Ashes Test.

The Warwickshire right-hander top-scored with 72 as England scrapped to reach 307-8 at stumps against Australia.

Several England batsman again made starts before losing their wickets, but Bell doesn't believe the pitch lends itself to high scoring unlike most Test matches at The Oval.

"It was a tough day, scoring felt quite hard and the ball didn't come on to the bat as it usually does at The Oval," he said.

"The match is right in the balance and the first session on Friday is huge."

Bell also claims that having Graeme Swann in their ranks - the only recognised spinner in either team - could be key in a match which England must win to reclaim the Ashes.

He added: "It's not a usual Oval pitch. We've got to take the fact that it's spinning and we've got a very good spinner in Graeme Swann and an attack that hopefully can take 20 wickets.

"We don't quite know what a good score is here in the first innings - and until Australia have batted, I don't think we'll know either way."