Bell backs pal to star for England.

Byline: By PAUL BOLTON

IAN BELL has backed his Warwickshire team-mate Tim Ambrose to establish himself as England's wicketkeeper this summer.

England have struggled to find a reliable wicketkeeper since Alec Stewart retired five years ago, but Ambrose made a smooth transition from county to Test cricket during the recent tour of New Zealand, making a century in his second game in Wellington.

The England-qualified Australian will have the opportunity to make the place his own in the first of the summer series against New Zealand, which begins at Lord's a week on Thursday, and England batsman Bell believes that Ambrose has both the technique and temperament to flourish at the top level.

"Test cricket is as much about the mental side as technique,"

Bell said. "Tim is a mature person in terms of his cricket.

"He doesn't have to rely on anyone else for his preparation, which is an advantage. At a certain stage in everyone's career you have to stop being a young cricketer who relies on a coach and take responsibility for your own coaching.

Challenge "Tim has done that successfully and so I wasn't surprised that he did so well in New Zealand.

"He's now got the chance to continue where he left off.

Obviously there are going to be more eyes focused on him for a home series than there was in New Zealand."

The fact that New Zealand are the first of the summer's tourists, with South Africa to follow, should also help Ambrose's bid to cement his England place.

"Having New Zealand up front should also help Tim settle,"

Bell said. "He's got he chance to play another full series before we play South Africa, who are the form side in world cricket at the moment and they will be a challenge for everyone."

Warwickshire will be able to include Bell and Ambrose in their side for tomorrow's Friends Provident Trophy game against Leicestershire at Edgbaston and also for Wednesday's Championship game at Derby.

But they will not be available for next Sunday's Trophy game against Northamptonshire at Edgbaston and may not play county cricket again for at least another month because of a hectic international schedule.

CAPTION(S):

TECHNIQUE: Tim Ambrose