Friday, February 5, 2010

Bell signs on until 2012


Warwickshire have confirmed that batsman Ian bell has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the county until the end of 2012 season.

The England batsman made his debut for Warwickshire in 1999 and he has spent the whole of his career at Edgbaston. He has played 161 times and scored over 10,000 first class runs for the county. Bell has also become a regular member of the England team since making 70 on his debut against the West Indies in 2004.

Bell's coach at Warwickshire, Ashley Giles, was understandably delighted about the news and praised the batsman's talents as a player as well as his work as a mentor for the young players at the club. He told the Warwickshire website: "We are delighted to have Ian committed to the club for a lengthy period, he is a quality player and is a Bear through and through."

Former England spinner Giles went on to say that Bell's "experience of both domestic and international cricket make him a great role model for the younger members of the squad" and that the county will be happy to have him when he is available for selection.

Bell was equally pleased to sign on, stating that he has always felt at home with Warwickshire and has never seen himself playing anywhere else.

He said "I have been a Bear since I was a boy, Warwickshire is my cricketing home and I love playing at Edgbaston".

As for what the future holds for Warwickshire, he claimed that "the future of the club is hugely exciting under Ashley and I hope to be able to make a significant contribution to the success I believe we can achieve".

The sports betting markets make Warwickshire relative outsiders for the Country Championship, but they should fare better in the shorter forms of the game.

Meanwhile, Bell is preparing for England's tour of Bangladesh, a series which the cricket betting suggests the visitors will win easily.

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