Evening all. Fabulous two days so far and more twists tomorrow I'm sure.
Anyhow, regarding tomorrow, is Ian Bell slightly under pressure to make a score? England are essentially 15-2 and if Australia pick up an early wicket tomorrow he'll come to the crease in what could be a big period of play in this Test.
Now, he's been under performing for over 12 months with the bat now and looked very ordinary in New Zealand. Apart from a solitary hundred in India last year in his last innings of the tour, when the game was already as good as drawn, he hasn't produced a great deal.
In his last 12 Tests since South Africa's visit last year he's averaging a touch over 30 and has played some very poor shots to get himself out with alarming regularity in that time. Has looked all at sea against a bit of out swing for most of the past year as well.
Whenever he comes to the wicket tomorrow ideally he needs to produce something, especially with the young Bairstow at 6. I'm not for a minute doubting his talent but he doesn't look particularly solid out there, hasn't for a while. Regardless he will almost certainly keep his place for Lords and there's not a great deal of depth to England batting ranks right now. That though, shouldn't stop his place being questioned if he doesn't make a big knock in his coming innings.
I've often said I'd prefer to see him at 3 like at Warks and play Trott at 5. It won't happen but I'd like to see a change personally, that would benefit both IMO.
Where do you stand on his form? Am I being a touch harsh or do you agree?
Ian Bell
posted on 12/7/13
Strangely, Bell's career batting average is higher than those of Gooch and Gower. Statistics are sometimes deceptive.
posted on 12/7/13
Bell needs to step up today, he is a major player, its ok getting lovely looking hundreds when the scoreboard is at 300-3, but if its 80-3 today he needs to go big, not do what he always does and get a nice 30 !!
posted on 12/7/13
Robbie,
Gooch and Gower, largely faced stronger attacks than what Bell has throughout his career. Gooch in particular facing the new ball came up against some serious attacks in the 80s and early 90s.
Bell at 5 throughout hasn't. The quality of bowling in his Test career has been largely average and often enough, as with most England batsmen of recent times he's struggled against what remains of quality attacks.
posted on 12/7/13
"Gooch and Gower, largely faced stronger attacks than what Bell has throughout his career. .."
Bit harsh that isn't it Galloping? I mean, Bell can only score runs against whats thrown up at him. However, I do agree that when you watch Bell you consistently feel that he has that mental glitch which kicks in when the going gets tough. I can't actually remember Bell scoring runs when we REALLY needed them but maybe someone can jog my memory on that
posted on 12/7/13
Dr,
It was simply in reply to Robbie saying it was strange that his career batting average is higher than Gooch and Gower. The point of bowling quality is a big factor in that.
I can't remember the last time he scored important runs neither. West Indies last year? Couldn't tell you to be honest.
posted on 12/7/13
Agree with TG Major.
Gooch faced the best of WI bowlers throughout his career. Any batsman who averaged >40 against WI between 76-92 must have been pretty decent at playing fast bowling.
posted on 12/7/13
Oh absolutely. Gooch for me was one of the finest opening batsmen to play for this country, and Gower was class also.
No I am not arguing that - I'm just saying you can only basically score against the bowlers that an attack can put up at you. There COULD be arguements on both sides of this - fielding, for example, has improved in the last ten years or so, to the extent its probably a lot better than when Gooch and Gower played. So your chances of making more runs fall away. However, its all subjective this...I'll be more impressed by Bell IF he makes a big score today. Today it really counts
posted on 12/7/13
One criticism of Bell may be that most often his big scores come after somebody else higher up had already scored well.
He is posting valuable runs today. This may be the one of the most most meaningful knocks of his career (I recall there was at least one occasion when he got England out of trouble).
posted on 12/7/13
Looks like I have provided Belly with the magical touch with my comments!!
posted on 18/7/13
Bell is making us eat our words now.