Scorchers sign former Ashes hero Bell

Aug 30, 2016 - 5:55 AM They were once Ashes foes, but Justin Langer and Ian Bell will be BBL friends when they team up for the Perth Scorchers this summer.

Bell has signed on with the Langer-coached Scorchers as the team's second import, joining fellow Englishman David Willey.

Langer is a big admirer of Bell, with the pair facing off against each other in two Ashes series.

Bell scored 489 runs at an average of 40.75 during England's T20 domestic competition this year.

And with 118 Tests, 161 ODIs and eight T20s to his name, the 34-year-old will add vital experience to a Scorchers outfit that lost the services of veteran spinner Brad Hogg.

Bell last played Test cricket in November, 2015, but he hasn't given up hope of earning a recall for England's upcoming tours of Bangladesh and India.

Bell is quite familiar with Perth, having spent time in WA grade ranks with University in the 2003/04 season.

"I love the city, and to work with Justin Langer will be superb," Bell said.

"The Scorchers have a fantastic record in the competition having made every finals series and winning two titles.

"I'm looking forward to hopefully helping them do that again this year."

Bell's signing completes Perth's 18-man squad.

Scorchers squad: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Ian Bell, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Klinger, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, James Muirhead, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman, David Willey

Source: AAP