Bell made his England debut in 2004

Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell says he is ready for England's call if Kevin Pietersen fails to recover from injury for the third Test with Australia.

The 27-year-old reminded the England selectors of his ability with a century in Warwickshire's draw with Lancashire.

Bell told BBC WM: "It's great to know I'm the next in line, but Pietersen will be itching to play in that game."

Pietersen will see a specialist later this week about his troublesome Achilles injury.

Bell is spending this week at the Rose Bowl, where Warwickshire are playing Hampshire, but he was part of the England set-up in the weeks leading up to the Ashes.

"It's been nice to be involved in the squad and the preparation," he said.

"I've come back to county cricket to score as many runs as possible, to stay in good form if I'm required by England.

The third test starts at Edgbaston on Thursday, 30th July, but Bell is under no illusion that he has to play well to keep the England selectors interested.

"When you're playing for Warwickshire, you have to be 100% focused on that," he added.

"You can't have half your mind thinking about England, because it'll affect your cricket."

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