Bell has faith in England pacemen

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England batsman Ian Bell has played down concerns over strike bowlers Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison ahead of the Ashes.

Flintoff has yet to bowl competitively after ankle surgery, while Harmison was heavily punished in Saturday's ICC Champions Trophy defeat to Australia.

Bell told BBC Five Live: "We know Fred is getting himself back and he'll be ready, and the same with Harmy.

"Those guys are big-match players and they will be firing and ready to go."

England expect Flintoff to bowl a handful of overs, as planned, against West Indies next Saturday, in what is almost certainly their last match in the tournament.

Harmison, who also struggled for rhythm in England's first Trophy match against India last Sunday, saw his 29 legal deliveries hit for 45 runs in the six-wicket loss to the Aussies in Jaipur.

He's coming back from injury but Straussy put him under pressure from ball one Bell on McGrath

The Durham bowler was not the only England player deserving of criticism after they were bowled out for 169, Australia getting home with 13 overs to spare.

But Bell defended the policy of using big-hitters Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen in the top four, with an eye on next year's World Cup in the West Indies.

"In one-day cricket if you don't bat through your 50 overs you're going to be in trouble," he told the Sportsweek programme.

"We've fallen short twice and that's a major problem, especially out here in India

606: DEBATE <a class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A16506939">The benefits of Harmison no longer playing one-day cricket are obvious for everyone</a> HS <a class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/606/default.stm">606: Have your say</a>

"The batting hasn't really fired but in terms of the World Cup the wickets in the West Indies are going to be similar to here," he explained.

"We've got to get our big hitters in, our best players in."

Bell made 43 in an opening stand of 83 with Andrew Strauss on Saturday.

He hinted England had seen a chance to exploit veteran bowler Glenn McGrath as he takes time to return to form after time away from the Aussie side because of injury and family reasons.

"He's coming back from injury, game by game he's going to get better but Straussy put him under pressure from ball one," he added.

"I guess that's what we're going to have to do in Australia, try and carry on what we did on Saturday."