Bell backs rotation policy

England's resurgent one-day international opener today backed the selectors' decision to rotate frontline bowlers Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann for Friday's final NatWest Series match against West Indies at Headingley.

The implementation of a policy England coach Andy Flower has long spoken of but, until recently, not acted upon has met with mixed reviews from pundits and even players.

James Anderson, for example, did not appear enamoured with the decision to leave him out of the final Test against the Windies at Edgbaston this month.

But Broad, selected in that squad and then eventually rested anyway, spoke up for the idea of trying to protect England's most skilled resources from the worst effects of an exhausting schedule across all three international formats.

Broad, Bresnan and Swann are the the only three remaining England regulars - following the limited-overs retirement of Kevin Pietersen - for Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20.

Bell contends that, especially with the series already won before England travel to Leeds, it has to make sense to spare them another 100-over encounter - with five ODIs against Australia and then three Tests against world-beating England's nearest pursuers South Africa all to come in the next two months.

"There's a heavy schedule coming up. We need to look after these guys," said Bell, who has returned to the top of the 50-over order in Pietersen's absence with a century and a half-century in victories at the Ageas Bowl and then at The Oval.

"The key to our success in one-day cricket is having five out-and-out world-class bowlers.

"So if we want to beat the Australians, we want these guys fit and fresh and ready to go.

"For the three guys who play in all three forms of the game ... it's going to be crucial."

Bell acknowledges the argument of those who suggest the Leeds crowd may be short-changed by the non-appearance of Yorkshire all-rounder Bresnan in particular.

But he believes a balance is being struck, and that the absence of three big names is offset by the possible inclusion of likely stars of the future.

Young pace bowler Stuart Meaker and all-rounder Chris Woakes, along with off-spinner James Tredwell, have been called up to the squad in place of those who will sit Headingley out.

"There's this big series against Australia coming up, and South Africa after that.

"It's a good option to let them have a bit of a breather - and it gives an opportunity to the likes of Meaker, Woakes and Tredwell.

"When I played for the Lions, Meaker is genuinely fast - so it will be exciting to see him have a go.

"Looking down the line, at World Cups and Champions Trophies, it's great to give these guys an opportunity and gain more experience."

What of those 15,000 supporters planning to watch at Leeds then?

"Of course, I have some sympathy," said Bell.

"It has slightly weakened our attack, but I still think it is a team that can go out and beat West Indies.

"There's no doubt people want to come to see the Broads, (James) Andersons and Bresnans.

"But they will be seeing young, exciting guys who will be big players for England over the next few years."

Save for Pietersen in the past, England's rotation policy has affected exclusively bowlers and all-rounders.

Batsmen, the consensus is, take less out of themselves physically.

For Bell, whose ODI career has been reborn thanks to Pietersen's exit, the prospect of a rest from any format is not enticing.

"For me, the more I play the more I learn," he said.

Bell still recalls his and England's difficult winter in Asia, especially their 3-0 Test defeat against Pakistan in which he was one of several batsmen horribly out of form.

"Going into the UAE series, we'd had two or three months off - and I felt I'd lost my rhythm completely.

"So batting-wise, for me if I'm batting the better I play.

"It's out of my control if Andy was to give me a game off.

"But personally, from a batting point of view, if I'm out in the middle scoring runs, I want to stay scoring runs - definitely."