Geoffrey Boycott has warned Ian Bell that he has to step up in the third Ashes Test against Australia or his England career could be over.
The 33-year-old has been elevated in the batting order for the match at Edgbaston as a result of Jonny Bairstow's inclusion into Alastair Cook's side at the expense of Gary Ballance.
However, Bell has struggled immensely this summer, and Boycott believes that his time in the England team could be at an end if he continues to record low scores.
"They can't go on with someone not getting runs. If you have played over 100 Tests, you need to take responsibility for the very difficult position of number three," Boycott told BBC Sport.
"You need a be a bit like an opener. The way England are playing at the moment, they definitely need three openers at the top. Bell has to shoulder that responsibility and go up front. He needs to help the other guys out.
"The selectors are saying, 'if you don't perform at three, you are gone'. I love Ian Bell and his cricket, he is beautiful to watch, but if you don't have the mind or the defensive technique against pace bowling, you are going to get out."
The third Test starts on July 29.
Simon Sinclair
