Siddle says 'silencing' Bell vital to Oz's hopes of winning return Ashes

Australian Test bowler Peter Siddle has said that Ian Bell is the reason why England holds the Ashes, and has promised to make his life much more difficult in bouncier pitches Down Under.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Siddle pointed out that Australia's batsmen could learn a lot from Bell's patience and his refusal to give up his wicket, but predicted he could struggle in Australian conditions.

Siddle said that Bell's patience was the big thing, adding that he put so much on his wicket that he did not want to give that up to anyone and that's what won England the Ashes.

He added that Australian wickets were really different and the drier wickets in England help him a lot.

Ominously, Bell averaged 65 when England won the Ashes in Australia three summers ago, when Alastair Cook upstaged him, the report said.