Vaughan (right) says Bell needs to be relaxed rather than desperate to do well
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has backed Ian Bell to succeed if he replaces the injured Kevin Pietersen.
Bell is favourite to take Pietersen's place in the England side for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston, with the hosts holding a 1-0 lead over Australia.
"He has done well in Test cricket and averages 40 (40.59)," Vaughan told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"If he just relaxes and plays he's got so much talent. He should just play it in his natural way."
Vaughan captained the 27-year-old Warwickshire batsman during his time in charge of the England team and is aware of the impact the elegant Bell can have, especially at his home ground.
I believe England can win the Ashes without Pietersen... If they lost Freddie as well that would make it a harder task
Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan
Right-hander Bell has been in promising form for Warwickshire this season and scored 640 runs at an average of 80 before getting out for seven on Wednesday against Hampshire.
But he struggled against Australia in the famous 2005 Ashes win as he made 171 runs in 10 innings with a highest score of 65.
In Australia in 2006/2007, Bell fared better as he made four 50s, averaging 33.10, and emerged with a degree of dignity from the series whitewash.
However, he was in poor form against India last December and was dropped after the first Test defeat to West Indies in February 2009.
Bell will have a point to prove if he returns as expected but Vaughan has warned him not to put too much pressure on himself and take the lead of some of England's other players.
Vaughan said: "He must not try too hard. He'll be very motivated, (but) if he goes in so desperate to do well it might not happen. He needs to not try to play the perfect innings.
"It's on his home ground as well so being called up at Edgbaston with an England team 1-0 up - it can't get any better than that."
Vaughan added: "In an Ashes series there is so much pressure and inwardly you can start putting yourself under more pressure. All the guys have got immense talent and they just have to let that come out on the big stage.
"You see the way Paul Collingwood is playing along with Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Prior - they are playing with a freedom and a fearless approach and it's exactly the right way to play against Australia.
"You really do have to enjoy batting and enjoy the moment when you are out at the middle to try to get on top of the opposition."
An Achilles injury has ruled Pietersen out of the rest of the Ashes series and, despite the blow, Vaughan still thinks England are capable of beating Australia.
He concedes that prospect is less certain should all-rounder Andrew Flintoff also be sidelined with the knee problem that has been troubling him, and also predicted England will have to withstand a fierce backlash from the tourists as they look to retain the Ashes.
"Kevin will be missed but he will not be missed too much because of the way he has been playing as the injury has been affecting him so much," said Vaughan.
Bell ready to replace Pietersen - Giles
"He'll be desperately disappointed to miss the rest of the Ashes series. It's the first real setback of his career injury-wise.
"It's clearly affecting him so the team at Edgbaston will be 11 fully-fit players. There is a doubt about Flintoff but I think he will play and Bell will take his opportunity.
"I believe England can win the Ashes without Pietersen. If they lost Freddie as well that would make it a harder task.
"I've said all along that if the ball continues to swing like it did at Lord's I fancy us to win 2-0. It might be 3-0 if it swings quite big.
"It will be tough. The Australians will bounce back strongly. They have that in their manner and nature so it will all be down to the first couple of days at Edgbaston."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?