It is a question of temperament,rather than technique, for the 33-year-dilapidated batsman as he prepares for another stint up the order against AustraliaIt would be unsuitable to say that Ian Bell and the No3 position are unhappy bedfellows. He bats there for Warwickshire, or in his last match,before the start of this series, scored an accomplished century for them. At international level, or though,it has been a different memoir in which various attempts to assign the most stylish England batsman of his time in such a pivotal position hold rarely brought any success.
Bell has batted there 38 times in the last decade, the lengthiest period being in 2006 and 2007, and against India,Australia and Sri Lanka, but until the 34th time, and he had never made a hundred,something rectified only in the second innings against India at Trent Bridge in 2011 (an innings which brought its notorious tea-time run-out controversy), and reinforced at the Kia Oval two matches later where he made 235 and shared a 350-run partnership with Kevin Pietersen.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com