Bell expects Australia to battle
England are expecting a "scrap" from Australia on the final two days of the fourth Investec Test at Chester-le-Street.
Ian Bell's wonderful century, his third of the series and 20th in all at the highest level, has put England back on course to push for outright Ashes victory - after they retained the urn with a draw at Emirates Old Trafford to take a 2-0 lead.
But Bell (105no) was taking nothing for granted on Sunday night, even with 234 for five on the board in England's second innings.
The tourists were set to begin again Monday morning already more than 200 behind and sure to face a tough target to stay in with a chance after all of levelling the series at The Oval next week.
England's comparative position of comfort was a long way away when Bell first took guard, with his side three down and only 17 runs to the good after they had conceded a first-innings deficit of 32 despite taking the last five Australia wickets for only 48.
He responded with his fourth Ashes century in five matches, dating back to Sydney 2011, to give England what may well be a telling advantage.
Bell said: "Those 200 runs - I'd rather have them on the board than be chasing them, but we've seen already with Australia that they will go all the way."
Australia fell only 14 runs short when needing 311 to win the first Test at Nottingham last month.
"That Trent Bridge pitch didn't deteriorate like we thought, and this might be similar," added Bell.
"If we start getting a lead over 300, I'll feel a little more confident.
"But they will keep coming at us, and some of their batsmen are in a bit of form now. It will be a scrap over the next two days."
As for his own prolific sequence of scores, which has brought him almost 500 runs against Australia this summer, he said: "It's right up there.
"I had a period against Sri Lanka and India in 2011 that felt pretty good, but this is right up there for me in my career.
"Fortunately I've come good in the series that is the biggest one for us.
"The thing I've tried to do is forget the situation. I keep it simple - watch the ball, play the ball
"It doesn't matter if we're 100 for one or 20 for three - it's the same game."
Australia are optimistic that all-rounder Shane Watson, who had to leave the field mid-over with a groin injury yesterday, will be able to bat unhindered in their second innings.
