Bell scores 192 as England pile on runs against Australia A

SYDNEY - Ian Bell warmed up for next week’s first Ashes Test in Brisbane with a massive innings of 192 against Australia A.

England were bowled out for 523 in their first innings after lunch on day three of the four-day game in Hobart in reply to the home side’s score of 230.

NSW left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe, left out of Australia’s 17-man Ashes squad for the first Test, took 4-88 from 24 overs.

Resuming on 121, Bell was unbeaten on 170 at lunch, having lost Paul Collingwood for 89 and Matt Prior for a brisk 27, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Bell’s century is England’s fourth in three matches on tour leading up to the first Ashes Test starting next Thursday at the Gabba.

But Collingwood was unable to add to the tally; edging a pull shot through to wicketkeeper Tim Paine as pacer Clint McKay ended Collingwood’s 240-run partnership with Bell at 6-377.

Bell was finally out caught at cover off Smith’s bowling at 8-487 after hitting 22 fours and one six from 275 deliveries, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Having averaged only 33.10 in five Tests in Australia four years ago, Bell was under pressure from England’s batting coach Graham Gooch to turn 50s into 150s and obliged in grand style with his 32nd first-class hundred. (ANI)