Batsman Ian Bell has insisted that England are keen to top the Test rankings again.

This summer's home series defeat to South Africa resulted in the Proteas leapfrogging England into first place in the standings.

With a tour of India coming up in November, Bell has spoken of his nation's determination to reach the summit again.

"When you're number one, you're being chased by everyone," he told the London Evening Standard. "Now at number two we can address a few things.

"It makes you more determined to get back to winning, training harder, and doing everything you can to get back to winning ways and being ruthless like we certainly have been for the last two or three years."

Bell could be promoted to number three in the England batting order for the trip to India in the absence of Kevin Pietersen.