LONDON, Sept 27: England batsman Ian Bell will head to the Ashes showdown with Australia insisting he has nothing to prove but eyeing a bagful of runs.

The Warwckshire player was part of the side which triumphed 2-1 in 2005 but, despite scoring two centuries in the third Test at Old Trafford, he averaged only 17 in the series.

Bell was then an international rookie, having only played three Tests — including two against minnows Bangladesh — before that memorable series with Ricky Ponting's side.

But he is now an established member of the England set-up, scoring centuries in three successive Tests this summer, and will be full of confidence for the tasks ahead.

“I've got 18 Test matches under my belt now compared to three last time I faced Australia. I've played a winter on the sub-continent,” said Bell.

“I've got some experience of playing against the top players in the world and can go to Australia with that in the bank and I've also got three hundreds in the last four Tests.

“Have I anything to prove in Australia? I don't feel as if I have to prove anything to myself. I would like to score runs against Australia. But I don't think I need to go and prove too much to anyone.

“They would have seen I've scored three hundreds in the last four Tests.

They will know that. A lot of Australians play county cricket as well so I don't think I have to prove too much to anyone.

“But it would be nice to go out there and score some runs. I was chuffed to bits to be a part of the Ashes side but would like to do more with the bat this time.” Bell added: “To be part of England retaining the Ashes would be pretty special, especially in their own back yard. That would be great.”—AFP