Ian Bell claims England have ‘psychological grip’ over ‘scared’ Aussies despite 1st Test victory

One of England’s finest ever batters has claimed Pat Cummins’ men are ‘scared’, despite his compatriots’ heartbreaking loss at Edgbaston in the First Test.

Despite a thrilling victory in the First Test at Edgbaston, Pat Cummins and co have been branded as “scared” by ex-England batter Ian Bell.

Bell, who scored almost 8000 runs in a distinguished 11-year career for England averaging 43 with the bat in Test cricket with 22 centuries, spoke out after the First Test and backed Ben Stokes to lead England to series victory.

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“I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see Ben Stokes’ team come from behind and win the series,” Bell said.

“I know a thing or two about coming from behind to win a home Ashes series – and I know a thing or two about Edgbaston epics.”

This week’s thriller at Edgbaston mirrored the 2005 Test at the same ground to an almost spooky extent – in 2005, Australia were set 282 for victory, and this week were set 281.

Both featured aggressive England batting in the first innings, and both featured wars of words between players – 18 years ago, it was Ricky Ponting and Andrew Flintoff, and this week it was Usman Khawaja copping it from Ollie Robinson.

Bell is known as one of the most elegant batters in the modern game.

However, unlike 2005, Australia would emerge victors, with Pat Cummins finishing off the job with a gritty fourth-innings 44.

“Back in 2005, when I was right at the start of my England career, the tight result went our way,” Bell said.

“If it had gone against us, maybe we wouldn’t have come back but this England team have so much aggression and are relentless in their approach that Australia will be extremely wary.”

Bell attacked Australia’s perceived defensive field settings, criticising the early use of boundary riders in the first innings.

“I’d go as far to say that Australia have more to work on,” he said.

“After the first two days at Edgbaston I was amazed how passive Australia were. It was like England used to play Ashes series in the really bad old days. Australia looked scared. I saw that in two examples.

“First, in the field setting for England’s batters in the first innings. They had sweepers out on the off- and on-side after three overs. I’d never seen anything like it and as someone who has experienced the pressure cooker of an Ashes series – I won five out of seven – being afforded an easy option for a single as a batter like that would have been unheard of.

“It was also interesting how nervous Steve Smith was. Why didn’t he launch himself at Harry Brook? Why did he barely play a stroke in anger?

“As I said, I think England’s intent has unnerved Australia and the only time they showed any aggression themselves was when Alex Carey was out in that extraordinary final innings. Basically, they only played in England’s style when they knew they were beaten and they had nothing to lose. Psychologically that is fascinating. Brendon McCullum will pick up on that.

“In the aftermath of the epic at Edgbaston England will feel exhausted and hugely disappointed. But once the dust settles they may come to realise that despite being 1-0 down in this Ashes series, they have got a psychological grip on Australia.”

Bell scored 4 Test centuries against Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Bell also backed Ollie Robinson’s controversial send-off for Usman Khawaja – the seamer appeared to shout “f*** off, you f***ing p****” at the affable 36-year-old after dismissing him for 141, and sent the cricket world into meltdown.

“It is going to be spicy on the field at times – rightly so – and that is why I have no issue with Ollie Robinson giving Usman Khawaja a send-off,” he said.

“I had plenty of send-offs when I was playing this lot, believe me. It is part of it. Maybe I was a bit surprised that Ollie doubled down in the press conference but every word he spoke was true. If you can’t handle it …”

It comes as Matthew Hayden, who played against Bell in the 2005 and 2006/07 Ashes, ripped into Robinson on morning radio in Queensland.

“Then the other bloke, he’s a forgettable cricketer,” Hayden said on air with former Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy.

“A fast bowler that is bowling 124 (km/h) nude nuts and he’s got a mouth from the south.”

The Second Test kicks off at Lord’s on June 28.