I'm a Warwickshire man and even I can't defend Bell. He had nothing to gain in the 2nd innings but the damage was done in the 1st innings(and most of the previous 49 tests).
After 50 tests he has had more than a fair crack of the whip, he will be there for the remaining 3 tests and it is unlikely that another batsman will be called up unless there is an injury.
I'd say Flower and Strauss might be hoping a batsman turns up for training with a tight hamstring next week to give them the chance to call up some cover without it looking like they have no confidence in Bell.
After that (non) shot he might well find himself in the Owais Shah boat, where the decision to get rid of you may already have been taken no matter what you produce during the rest of the series.
That was what I believe happened to Shah at the end of the Aussie ODI series, he might have thought his Champions Trophy performance against South Africa would guarantee him his place on this tour, but I'd guess he was goner even before they went to the CT.
The same fate may well await Bell, and in my opinion it should. Surely they can't go on waiting for him to come good any longer.
In the past Geoff Miller has always came out with the old bull that these are the best batsmen in the country, giving the impression that he didn't rate any county players to step up to the mark.
Now with the potential shown by Eoin Morgan in the ODI's he surely can't keep rolling out that mantra any longer..
Ashley Giles was interviewed during the Test match and was at great pains to point out that the selection of the team was down to Strauss and Flower. I didn't believe him even just a little bit
You are making the classic mistake: assuming that the England selectors have any judgement or sense. He will be there at Durban.
ReplyDeleteYou're probably right. I see that Gilo's over there, making sure that the Warwickshire quota is up scratch...
ReplyDeleteI'm a Warwickshire man and even I can't defend Bell. He had nothing to gain in the 2nd innings but the damage was done in the 1st innings(and most of the previous 49 tests).
ReplyDeleteAfter 50 tests he has had more than a fair crack of the whip, he will be there for the remaining 3 tests and it is unlikely that another batsman will be called up unless there is an injury.
I'd say Flower and Strauss might be hoping a batsman turns up for training with a tight hamstring next week to give them the chance to call up some cover without it looking like they have no confidence in Bell.
After that (non) shot he might well find himself in the Owais Shah boat, where the decision to get rid of you may already have been taken no matter what you produce during the rest of the series.
That was what I believe happened to Shah at the end of the Aussie ODI series, he might have thought his Champions Trophy performance against South Africa would guarantee him his place on this tour, but I'd guess he was goner even before they went to the CT.
The same fate may well await Bell, and in my opinion it should. Surely they can't go on waiting for him to come good any longer.
In the past Geoff Miller has always came out with the old bull that these are the best batsmen in the country, giving the impression that he didn't rate any county players to step up to the mark.
Now with the potential shown by Eoin Morgan in the ODI's he surely can't keep rolling out that mantra any longer..
Is it 50 tests already? Blimey. He's a lucky boy.
ReplyDeleteAshley Giles was interviewed during the Test match and was at great pains to point out that the selection of the team was down to Strauss and Flower. I didn't believe him even just a little bit
ReplyDelete"Bell steadies England.."
ReplyDelete"Bell rises to the occasion.."
"Bell sets the tone.."
"Bell rings true.."
Er, none of the above, sadly.
Our expectations are greatly-diminished, and he still falls well below them !
It's not Bell's fault, its the selectors: http://cricket-forever.blogspot.com/2009/12/ian-bell-again.html
ReplyDeleteCeci, maybe it is the case that even Giles is trying to distance himself from having anything to do with the selection of Bell now.
ReplyDeleteIt could be a 'don't blame me guv' remark.
Rob, that looks like the health chart of someone with swine flu...
ReplyDeleteHave blogrolled you too - didn't realise you weren't on... apologies!