Bell confirmed to play in third Ashes Test

Ian Bell will bat at four for England in the third Ashes Test starting on Thursday but his old enemy Shane Warne has already started the sledging from the commentary box.

The Warwickshire batsman comes in to replace injured Kevin Pietersen who is out for the summer. Bell has not enjoyed much success against Australia in the past and was mocked by spinner Warne, now retired, who dubbed him 'the Shermanator' after a character in the film American Pie.

However, Australia are not without problems of their own. Opening batsman Phil Hughes and bowler Mitchell Johnson - seen as key figures in the series for the tourists - are both struggling for form.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:Matt Scott, Guardian: "In England's Ashes success of 2005 a run of single-digit scores from Bell prompted Adam Gilchrist to comment that Shane Warne had a "mental stranglehold" on the batsman but Strauss has no doubt the current Australian line-up will hold no fears for a man who stands only four shy of the milestone of 10,000 first-class runs."

Paul Bolton, Telegraph: "Former Australia leg-spinner Warne, who is now working as a media pundit, has described Bell's recall for his first Test appearance in almost six months as replacement for the injured Kevin Pietersen as 'return of the Shermanator'. Warne gave Bell his unflattering nickname three years ago claiming that he was a lookalike for the geeky Chuck Sharman in the film American Pie. Warne, who dismissed Bell five times in 10 Tests, also claimed that the Australian bowlers would 'take Bell any day' and that Peter Siddle could work him over as Glenn McGrath used to."

Laura Williamson, Daily Mail: "There was much debate about the wisdom of allowing Hughes to get used to English conditions by joining Middlesex before the Ashes series but, so far at least, it seems to have worked in England's favour as skipper Strauss has had a good look at his county team-mate. Steve Harmison exposed Hughes's weakness for anything short and rising when he dismissed the left-hander twice in England Lions' match against Australia at Worcester and Flintoff has followed his great friend's example."

Chloe Saltau, Melbourne Age: "Australia has not given up on Mitchell Johnson, despite the troubled paceman conceding six runs an over to Northamptonshire in another poor display that places him in serious doubt for Edgbaston. Coach Tim Nielsen bristled when it was suggested that Australia could not afford to carry Johnson into the next Test but, in a revealing remark, said his selection would hinge on the conditions in Birmingham. Only a few weeks ago, the 27-year-old would have been the first bowler picked for any conditions on the planet." ·