We are the way ahead - Bell; Cricket.

IAN Bell is hoping his opening partnership with Alastair Cook can serve England's one-day team handsomely for years to come.

Bell is delighted to have been given another crack at opening the innings for his country - a prospect which seemed distant even a month ago.

Back then, Cook and Kevin Pietersen had between them scored hundreds in four successive England victories at the top of the order.

Bell, meanwhile - dropped from England's 50-over squad which won 4-0 against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates - was on the outside looking in, not only on an opening spot but on any place in England's World Cup plans.

Pietersen's shock retirement gave the 30-year-old another chance - and he has responded with scores of 126 and 53 in two innings to date as England have wrapped up NatWest Series victory over West Indies a match early.

Bell was not even put off, or out, by his mishap in the Ageas Bowl indoor nets which left him with a broken jaw on the eve of the first match last weekend.

Instead, he posted his second ODI hundred there - and is now looking forward to a future in which he and Cook will be setting the tone for England at the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

"I'm really happy. I felt like I'd been playing some good one-day cricket with Warwickshire at the top of the order but batting four, five or six with England," he said.

"One thing I wanted was another crack at the top of the order. KP's retirement gave me that opportunity."

Bell is not one to shout the odds. He can hardly help but be encouraged with the events of the past week, though.

"It has started nicely, and now I want to continue improving and keep the relationship and partnership with Cooky going.

"If we can continue to develop that platform but also playing quite aggressive, proper cricket shots then I hope we'll get scores that allow our bowlers to win one-day games for England. We've always had a good relationship in Test matches batting together.

"It's a new partnership, but then it's not really.

"I think we've played 70-odd Test matches together, so we know each other inside out."

English pitches and two new balls have allowed both Bell and Cook - who added a hundred of his own in Tuesday's win at The Oval - the luxury of timing rather than having to clout their runs.