‘Flexible’ Ian Bell ready to usurp Pietersen’s No.4 slot

London: England batsman Ian Bell insists that he is ready to capitalize on his move up the batting order in the absence of Kevin Pietersen for the ongoing ODI series against India.

“It is nice to have the opportunity to get up the order, I mean that is really pleasing on my part. I see myself in the one-day side being quite flexible whether I have to bat at the top of the order or at number four or six,” Bell said while addressing a news conference at the Rose Bowl stadium on Monday. “I am going to have to be able to adapt and that is the strength of my game, I can do that. Yes, it is a great opportunity to come in at four in this series and show people that I can play up in the order.” “But it is great and a good sign for our squad as well that KP can be rested, you know we still have an order that can compete with the best teams in the world,” he added. He further said that after gaining the World No.1 ranking in Test cricket, the team is now eyeing the top spot in one-day set-up of the game. “We have got a while to the World Cup, but we got to take our one day cricket very seriously now and we all are having a look at some very good young players as well and the squad is getting stronger all the time, which is important for us,” Bell said. “Yes definitely we intend on becoming a very good one day side and start now,” he added. The second match of the five-match ODI series will be played at the Rose Bowl stadium on Tuesday. The first match in Durham was abandoned due to rain. ANI