Former England captain Alec Stewart has claimed that the selectors have made the right call by moving Ian Bell to three for the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
An emphatic 405-run loss to Australia at Lord's forced the hosts to make changes, with Jonny Bairstow returning to the squad to replace Gary Ballance and Bell being given another chance to find his best form with a promotion up the order.
There were suggestions that Joe Root may be given the position, but Stewart believes that Bell's game suits the role best as England look to regain the lead at the batsman's home ground.
"Bell has a tremendous track record. He's a top-class player suffering a dip in form, but he's always made it known he likes batting at number three," Surrey's director of cricket told Sky Sports News.
"Despite a run of low scores recently, I just think he's got the technique and mental strength to go in at number three.
"If you leave Bell out, you're basically saying that's the end of his career, and in my opinion you don't want to be saying that. He's too good a player just to be left out and then discarded."
Root will also move up one place in the order, while Bairstow will make his return at number five.
Callum Mulvihill
