Bell acknowledges trio's toil

One wicket in 78 overs is no obvious recommendation for a Test call-up - but there was mitigation aplenty in a lifeless MCG pitch for England's three Perth hopefuls.

Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad used all feasible tactics and skills to try to extract something from a surface which is almost certain to yield a third successive declaration tomorrow morning.

Victoria closed day two of three on 278 for six, and a lead of 310, after England had called time on their own first innings on a lunchtime 184 for two.

In the hour before stumps, it spoke volumes for the lack of competitive bite in this surface that 'spinners' Andrew Strauss and Eoin Morgan - with four previous career wickets between them in almost 250 first-class matches - were donating runs to tailenders to set up a last-day chase.

The collusion was a world away from the cut and thrust of Ashes contests, and England's frontline seamers in this match could have been forgiven for feeling a little aggrieved at the spectacle in front of them after conditions had blunted their own best efforts.

Instead, the gleeful spring in Bresnan's congratulations after Paul Collingwood had made a mockery of the specialists' toil - with a spell of three wickets for nine runs - suggested England's one-for-all team spirit is more than just talk.

Ian Bell certainly spoke supportively of the three men vying to replace the injured Stuart Broad in next week's third Test at the WACA. "It's been a hard wicket for the bowlers," he said.

"It's so slow out there, but they've toiled away.

"It's reverse-swung, and it's good to see those guys use those sorts of skills - which might come in at some point at the WACA.

"They've worked hard. It's great going into Perth that all three of them had a good work-out in batting-friendly conditions."

Bell put an added positive spin on the bowlers' lot when he added: "It's much better that than a green seamer, where they've all taken five-for and bowled a couple of good balls but some bad ones as well.

"They've generally gone at two an over all game - and that's exactly what we want, going into a Test match."

There was reason for more satisfaction for Bell himself, meanwhile, after his fifth successive half-century.

Given the chance to move up from number six to three in the absence of the rested Jonathan Trott, Bell (60no) shared a second-wicket stand of 92 with his captain Strauss (66) and helped England pile on 134 runs in the morning session.

"It was nice to get the opportunity against the newer ball," he said.

"We know it becomes a lot easier to bat in the middle after about 20 overs when the ball goes a bit soft, so it was good to get up the order and challenge myself a bit more."

Bell is a far different batsman from the sometimes diffident figure who last toured Australia - and he knows it.

He is not wasting any time wondering whether the opposition do too, but is committed to his new-found positivity at the crease.

"Of course, I've learned a hell of a lot since four years ago.

"I've been through a fair bit, learned from my mistakes - and I've learned a lot from people like (coaches Graham) Gooch and (Andy) Flower, who've come in over the last few years.

"I'm a tougher and better cricketer than I was four years ago, without a shadow (of a doubt).

"I haven't thought what Australia think about me."

Bell has noted the likely presence, on Test debut, next week of new Australia slow left-armer Michael Beer.

Little more than a month ago, he got off the mark third ball by hitting Beer for a six over long-off in the tour match against Western Australia at the WACA.

It was a shot entirely typical of the 'new' Ian Bell.

But at 28, he is wise enough to respect all international opponents - even if he does have a gameplan to dominate them.

"I don't think there'll be a conscious effort to try to do it again, but I always try to play as positive as possible.

"He actually bowled okay, quite well in that game."

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has reportedly yet to meet Beer, who has just five first-class matches under his belt, or at any rate see him bowl.

"That is a little bit surprising," said Bell, before obediently retreating into England's policy of sparing public comment about their opponents.

"That's not anything for us to worry about - it's for Australia to think about.

"Their changes are up to them."