Bell wants to emulate Tendulkar and Ponting

Napier, Feb 18 (UNI) England right hand batsman Ian Bell is keen to gain the same respect which Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting get in the cricket world.

Bell insists he is well on the way to becoming the sort of player that gets respect not just from within his own dressing room but also from the opposition.

''If you look at any of the best players in the world there is a level of maturity that goes with them,'' said Bell.

''There is something about them, the way they practise and the way they are as people. That is something I am trying to move towards.

''It is not just about being in the nets and practising, there is a whole maturity thing that goes with it in the dressing room and the way you control your own game.

Th 25-year-old Bell said,''Ponting is a role model for me, he is the best player in the world so he is definitely someone I look to try and learn from and emulate.

''I guess the whole maturity level he has and the way he goes about his cricket is impressive. Even if he wasn't their captain he is still a leader and a strong individual.

''That is something I'm searching for, to become that mature person that people look at in a different light - not as a good young player, but a real tough cricketer.'' Bell certainly did his bit last Friday with a superb 73 as England kept the series alive with a six-wicket win. They take on the hosts in the fourth game here on February 20, 2-1 down with two games left to play.

Every match is a final for England just as it was in Australia last year, and having succeeded across the Tasman Sea, Bell sees no reason why the same can't happen this week.

''There is some renewed confidence in the team,'' added Bell.

''We were in this sort of position when we were in Australia.'' ''We have to go out with no fear of failure and put all our cards on the table.'' UNI XC CS AB BD1545