Ian Bell senses the 2010/11 Ashes are coming at the perfect time for him to prove himself beyond doubt and once and for all at the highest level.

Bell can trace an impressive run of form back to his 140 in England's Christmas Test victory over South Africa in Durban last year.

Only a mid-summer foot injury has interrupted his progress since. But the 28-year-old has returned still on top of his game in the handful of matches available to him for Warwickshire - and also had time for two one-day international appearances against Pakistan, before being named in the Ashes squad.

"For me, this has come at the right time in my career," he believes.

"In the past maybe I haven't played as well as I should have done against Australia.

"But I hope I can start putting more performances in."

Bell's career average in the low 40s contains what many have perceived cheaper Test runs against the likes of Bangladesh, and contrasts with only 25 against Australia.

He knows he has a point to prove, and could have a pivotal role too this winter.

As a likely selection for England's first tour match against Western Australia on Friday, runs at the WACA would be an ideal opening gambit for Bell. "Over the last 18 months, my cricket has just got better and better," he said.

"Everyone has been asking for performances under pressure from me. I've started to do that, and I hope I can carry on in this series.

"I think I'm an improved cricketer over the last 18 months to two years, and this is another great challenge on the way.

"Being out in South Africa last winter was a massive boost for me, and it's carried on from there.

"Obviously this is a big series for me personally, and for the team, but I'm just going to keep working hard and get myself as ready and fit as possible."

Bell came in for plenty of pointed remarks on his last Ashes trip, as Shane Warne tried to claim and keep the psychological edge.

The upshot, on a tour which ended in an infamous 5-0 whitewash for England, was an acceptable output from Bell - who has been less successful against Australia at home than away. He insists too that, although there was little to smile about for England last time they were here, he and the other 2006/07 veterans in the current squad can use the experience to their advantage.

"There were still some 'positives' to come out of that tour - the VB Series at the end went our way, so we walked away on a bit of a high," he remembers.

"That Test series was a massive learning curve. That Australia side was an outstanding side, and it was a great experience to come and play against one of the best teams ever in their own backyard.

"It was disappointing the way the series went. But I think a lot of the guys who were on it learned a lot about how the best players in the world play."

As for those largely one-sided exchanges with Warne, Bell points out time has moved on.

"That's in the past now. Over the last two or three years, I've matured as a player.

"This is a fresh series, a new set of players - and something I'm so looking forward to getting into."

He intends to continue to let his bat do the talking, and hopes respect for his ability will follow from the Australian public - just as it has done elsewhere.

"I've got to earn that," he said.

"I've got on my way to earning respect around the world - and this is another step along the way.

"I'm desperate to improve all the time."

Respect ought not to be a problem for Kevin Pietersen this winter, but some overdue runs will certainly do no harm either.

Bell echoed his captain Andrew Strauss and others within the camp by expressing his confidence in Pietersen coming good just when England need him to.

"From what I've seen in the last three days, he's been hitting the ball as well as I've seen him.

"I know he likes these kind of wickets - pace and bounce - and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in this series.

"We know he's a big-match player for us and we hope he can carry on in the form he's shown over these last few days."

England team, v Western Australia at the WACA starting at 0230 GMT on November 5 (from): AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, IR Bell, MJ Prior (wkt), SCJ Broad, GP Swann, ST Finn, JM Anderson, EJG Morgan, CT Tremlett