Ian Bell: England batsmen must put pressure back on Pat Cummins's bowling attack

Former England batsman Ian Bell and Ryan Harris were discussing the Ashes on the Inside Edge series with bet365.

England's pre-series optimism didn't last long as they lost the first Test by nine wickets in Brisbane and Ashes legend Ian Bell is full of praise for Australia's bowlers.

"It was a reminder of how good Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are, and how hard England must work to put their length and line under pressure," Bell says. "They were relentless around the top of off stump. There's no Hazlewood in Adelaide but I've played with Jhye Richardson, who's another good bowler, skilful and able to move the ball at pace.

"There's talk about Stuart Broad and James Anderson coming back but that's not the main issue because England's seamers bowled well. The volume of runs is the problem. Chris Woakes never lets you down, Ollie Robinson looks a real Test match bowler and Mark Wood bowled fast.

"Australia had a clear plan to put Jack Leach under pressure. England needed their spinner to bowl a load of overs for not many runs and let the seamers rest so that was a big worry."

Bell was impressed by Cummins's leadership in his first Test as captain: "Tactically, Australia got a lot of things right. It's harder for a bowler being captain but it didn't affect Cummins's bowling and he got the rotation of the bowlers absolutely perfect.

"The toss is crucial in day-night Tests. I'm worried that if England lose the toss and are bowling in nice sunny conditions then we'll have to bat in those difficult twilight periods. If the Aussies win the toss and bat well that would put huge pressure on England."

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