The England selectors were given a timely reminder by Ian Bell as to his quality before the upcoming Ashes series in Australia. Bell’s impressive century for Warwickshire against Hampshire showed he is back to fitness after his broken foot kept him out for the last eight weeks. The century also edged Warwickshire closer to safety in Division One of the County Championship.
Bell was clearly delighted with his knock of 104, which included 13 fours from 196 deliveries. The innings was full of the glorious text book shots that have made Bell one of the country’s best batsmen. With Kevin Pietersen currently out of form, Bell’s innings will throw his name into the cricket odds hat as a possible replacement.
The most likely rival will be Eoin Morgan at number six. Bell’s average down the order is far better than when he bats high. After a year in which Morgan has become one of the games most exciting players, Online Cricket Betting pundits note how Bell faces a battle if he wants to get back in the first 11.
Another batsman who will be hoping to be on the plane Down Under, later this year will be Ravi Bopara. The Essex batsman has had another storming season for his county and will be desperate to be part of the Test squad that will be looking to win the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time since 1986/87.
Bell has been labelled one of this country’s most naturally gifted batsmen in recent history. The 28 year old has been through the full mix of emotions from wining the Ashes to be dropped for a year to finally returning to help England regain the Ashes last year. He’ll be hoping for the chance to help his team’s cause this year.
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