Dougie Brown backs Ian Bell to find best form

Warwickshire director of cricket Dougie Brown has insisted that Ian Bell will find his best form in time to play a key role in this summer's Ashes series.

Bell managed to score just 43 runs across two Tests against New Zealand, and England decided to leave him out of the upcoming one-day international series with the Black Caps in the hope that he will put his poor run behind him.

"He has struggled a little bit, especially in the past couple of Test matches," Brown told BBC WM 95.6. "But he is still a top-class player and I am sure we will see the best of him very soon.

"He strengthens us very much and he knows he is welcome back in this environment any time he is available."

Bell will be available for at least one County Championship match and five T20 Blast games.