Bell shows England the way as he passes big career milestone
IAN Bell showed England what they were missing with a double century to guide Warwickshire into a commanding position against Glamorgan at Colwyn Bay.
While the national team’s batsmen were floundering against India at the Ageas Bowl, the 36-year-old – who has never hidden hopes of an international recall – scored 204 out of Warwickshire’s 445 for eight.
It was Bell’s third championship century of the season against Glamorgan and saw him pass 20,000 first-class runs in his career.
Sam Hain also contributed 61 while Keith Barker ended the second day on 43 not out, with the Division Two title hopefuls boasting a 242-run first-innings lead over their hosts.
It was Bell’s day, however, as he once again took a liking to the Welsh county’s bowling attack.
He came to the crease in the 11th over, and when he was out 109 overs later after being trapped lbw by Andrew Salter, his aggregate against Glamorgan this season stood at 425, having scored 106 and 115 – both not out – at Edgbaston in June.
In those three innings against these opponents, Bell has been at the crease for 18 hours, faced 743 balls and struck 53 fours and two sixes.
Unlike his centuries in Birmingham, the former England batsman did give two chances here – one straightforward, the other more difficult – but his batting overall was again a splendid exhibition of classy strokeplay, punctuated by those glorious trademark strokes through the offside.
There was generous applause when he guided the ball to third man to reach his century, then more acknowledgment four runs later when he reached his personal milestone of 20,000 first-class runs. And when he was eventually dismissed five overs before the close, Bell was given a standing ovation and handshakes from the Glamorgan players. “It meant a lot for me, especially after the disappointments of last year, but it has been a good day for the team. We have a big lead and hopefully our bowlers can do the job tomorrow,’’ he said. When asked about the possibility of a recall to the England team, Bell added: “I’m enjoying my cricket with Warwickshire at the moment, but I will certainly answer the phone if they call!’’ When play resumed in the morning, nightwatchman Chris Wright gave Bell useful support by putting on 56 before he miscued against Craig Meschede and saw his leg stump knocked back. Hain then joined Bell and recorded only his second championship fifty of the summer during a partnership of 121 for the fifth wicket. The stand was broken when Kiran Carlson held on to a fierce drive from Hain at extra cover to give Rory Smith his second wicket.
Warwickshire were building partnerships for every wicket, and the stand for the sixth produced another 62 runs, with Tim Ambrose scoring 22 alongside Bell before he was leg before to David Lloyd. Bad light then caused a seven-over delay, with the Bears needing 54 runs in eight overs to gain maximum batting points.
With plenty of time left in the game, they opted to consolidate and build up a sizeable lead and with Barker providing more support there followed another fifty-plus partnership stand – the fifth of the innings.
Glamorgan’s depleted attack did make a couple of late breakthroughs – Bell among them – but by then Warwickshire had already built a potentially match-winning lead.
It meant a lot for me, especially after the disappointments of last year, but it has been a good day for the team. Ian Bell