VAUGHAN WARNS COLLY, BELL AND COOK

ABOVE: Ian Bell must do more to stay in the England set-up

THE Test careers of three England batsmen are on the line in South Africa this winter.

That’s according to 2005 Ashes-winning  captain Michael Vaughan, who also led England to a 2-1 win in South Africa the same year.

He reckons Ian Bell, Alastair Cook and Paul Collingwood must do more to stay in the England set-up.

It might even be too late  already for Collingwood –  after Jonathan Trott’s Ashes-clinching century on debut at The Oval in August.

Kevin Pietersen is set to  return from Achilles surgery and he and skipper Andrew Strauss are now the only  untouchables in the top six.

Colly’s inconsistency and weakness against pace, which he will be exposed to in South Africa makes him the most  vulnerable of the trio.

But Cook’s average is falling fast after his great start with a century on debut, while Bell looks a world-beater for 50 runs – but rarely pushes on to make really big scores.

Vaughan is backing England to win the series  after crediting Strauss and coach Andy Flower for  creating “a healthy team environment”.

But he is aware certain players can no longer drift along in a comfort zone as there are other batsman wanting their own shot with England.

Vaughan, who retired this year, told the Daily Star Sunday: “Looking at the stats from the summer, Cook, Bell and
 Collingwood made contributions under pressure at key  moments and that’s important.

“But over time, though, they will have to score bigger runs. The likes of Bell, Cooky and Collingwood will know this tour is a big tour for all three of them.

“They will know that younger  players are breathing down their necks –  certainly in Colly’s instance.

“He will know that Trott has come in and done very well. I would have thought Trott will start in South Africa.

“The team management needs to decide whether they are going to go with six main batsmen and Matt Prior at seven or  whether to give Luke Wright a debut at seven.”

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