I havent scored as many ODI tons as I shouldve

Ian Bell,known more for his flowing cover drives than crunchy sixes,is quite the quintessential Test player.

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Ian Bell,known more for his flowing cover drives than crunchy sixes,is quite the quintessential Test player. But the England batsman,who scored his only ODI ton against India in Southampton,says he must now learn to adapt to keep abreast with the modern game. Excerpts.

On scoring his only ODI ton,vs India in Southampton

I’ve enjoyed playing here at the Rose Bowl,it’s a good wicket. You get that extra pace and bounce which is what you like as a batsman,so it’s a good place to bat. If I’m batting up the order tomorrow (Tuesday),Id want to score a hundred and I havent scored as many as I probably should have done. Im looking forward to getting the opportunity to maybe bat through and get a hundred for the team.

On his preferred ODI spot

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I would say anywhere in the top four. To go out and bat and build an innings and go through the gears. That would be a strength of mine be aggressive up front and bat through the spinners,and then accelerate.

On his slogging skills

I can try to slog. Ive done it before when I was starting out. You have to practice it clearing your leg. Speaking to Goochy,Ive figured there are different ways to score runs: you can pick the ball over midwicket you can lift over extra cover. There is no point me trying to become something Im not. I have to play to my strengths. I have to pick the gap like I do in Tests.

On increasing his strike rate

Were all trying to score at a run a ball. Andy Flower pushes us hard to score at a run a ball. With the spinners on,we want to push down the number of dot balls in the innings.

On preparing for short-formats

I want to improve as a cricketer. If thats T20 and 50-over cricket Ive got to add that to my game,but there are still ways of scoring runs without doing that. I want to be a cricketer improving all the time in one-dayers and Test cricket so you have to learn and be open to new things. The game is going forward all the time and you have to stay with it.

On Englands focus on ODIs

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Were trying everything we can to improve. Weve got a talented young squad that can push us forward. When we go to India,the reverse-swinging ball and slower balls will become important. Weve got an attack which can do that,which is a massive improvement. As with Tests,the group is hungry for improvement and success. If we keep at it,Im hoping it will be exactly the same as in Tests.