Bell says England will face major 'blow-up' in Ashes if Prior fails to recover 'in time'

England's summer Ashes hero Ian Bell has admitted that it would be a major 'blow-up' for his side if vice-captain and wicketkeeper Matt Prior is not fit to play in the first Test of the winter Ashes series at the Gabba on November 21.

Prior, who has been ruled out of the final warm-up game against New South Wales XI after tearing a calf muscle, is now facing a race against time to make the opening clash against Australia in Brisbane.

According to the Daily Star, Bell said that England would be hampered if Prior does not make it even with Jonny Bairstow poised to replace him behind the stumps, adding that the glovesman is an 'important bloke' in the dressing room both on and off the pitch.

Bell further said that if Prior plays, he would be a major part of their success, for which they all want him to recover in time for the Gabba Test, although he expressed pleasure at the fact that Bairstow will get an opportunity to showcase his talent after sitting on the sidelines so far during the tour, as a wicketkeeper against NSW in Sydney this week.