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The Ashes

Ian Bell: 'The players are hurting'

By , Senior Reporter
England batsman Ian Bell admits that he and his teammates are "hurting" after being left on the brink of a heavy defeat to Australia in the second Ashes Test match in Adelaide.

England's Ian Bell has admitted that his side have not given their bowlers an opportunity to try to perform positively against Australia's batsmen.

Mitchell Johnson stunned England by recording figures of 7-40 as the tourists slumped to 172 all out, and Bell has revealed that Alastair Cook's squad are "hurting" after a disappointing day in Adelaide.

The 31-year-old told Sky Sports News: "It's disappointing. It's obviously a very good wicket here and we haven't given our bowlers the opportunity to get us back in the game.

"The guys are hurting, but I can reassure you that they are doing everything that they possibly can to put this right in the second innings."

Bell top-scored for England with an unbeaten 72, but Australia ended the day with a lead of 530 runs.

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Australia's Mitchell Johnson is congratulated by teammates after taking the wicket of England's Stuart Broad during day three of the second Ashes test on December 7, 2013
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