Bell undaunted by Ashes challenge

Bell was dismissed three times by Glenn McGrath last summer

England batsman Ian Bell insists he has nothing extra to prove on his first Ashes tour this winter.

Bell averaged 17 in five Tests against Australia last summer, including a pair at The Oval.

But he averaged 52 in Pakistan last winter and then hit three centuries in four innings against them at home.

"I didn't score as many runs as I'd have liked but hopefully that series will hold me in good stead," he said. "I think they know I'm a good player."

Interview: England batsman Ian Bell

Shane Warne dismissed Bell three times last summer, but the 24-year-old Warwickshire batsman dismissed a suggestion he was scared by the leg-spin wizard.

"It's difficult but I'm not frightened," he told the BBC.

"He can't hit me on the head which is a bonus - Brett Lee can do that - but Shane Warne's obviously one of the best cricketers that ever played the game.

"But I don't need to prove too much to anyone and I just want to go out there and be part of the side that retains the Ashes."

"Test cricket for England over the last couple of years has gone fantastically well and we need to stick to our game plans like last year when we frustrated Australia and they started to get out of their game plan," he said.

"If we can match Australia in terms of the verbals and not get carried away with other things around us I'm sure we'll be fine."