Bell backs England batsmen to torture Oz with 'long, punishing days' during winter Ashes

England batsman Ian Bell has said he and the other batsmen are planning to subject the Australians to long, punishing days in the field during the upcoming winter Ashes series.

England's plan to draw the Australians into another war of slow destruction will be even more effective if all-rounder Shane Watson, an important fifth bowler capable of drying up runs, cannot play as an all-rounder in the first Test at Brisbane over his hamstring injury.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Bell, who was England's leading run-scorer in their 3-0 summer series win, said that as a batting unit, he and his teammates are planning to bat for long periods of time and give their side's bowlers a rest in order to put overs into their legs.

Bell further said that as a five-Test match series is physically hard for batters let alone bowlers, so they would be trying hard to bat for as long as they can.

The lack of respite for the fast bowlers took a toll on the Australians in England during the summer, where James Pattinson broke down after a tight turnaround at Lord's and Mitchell Starc and Jackson Bird were injured by series end, the report added.