Ian Bell says he is desperate to win the first hour at Leeds - Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 at Headingley.
Bell, who fought well in the second innings at the Oval but failed to save the Test match, believes that the English camp is brimming with confidence to make a strong fight back in the second Test.
A loss at Leeds could ensure a first series loss for the Poms in four years, which will also dethrone them from the top of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Test rankings.
“We know we can win this Test series. We believe it, we have got to believe it or South Africa will beat us. We are desperate to win the first hour of this match after what happened at The Oval,” the star middle-order batsman said.
The 30-year-old batsman said that his side cannot afford to show any complacency against a quality side like South Africa, whose performances with both, bat and ball has overwhelmed the hosts so far.
After posting an imposing total, the Proteas bowlers twice ran through the England batting lineup with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir.
South African batsman also scored big with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hamisi-Abdallah-c61368 becoming the first South African to hit a triple-ton in a Test match.
English bowlers have yet to face the challenge from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JP-Duminy-c1742, all of whom did not bat at Oval.
“Of course, we knew what a good side they were, a mature group of cricketers, most of whom have been together a long time,” the Englishman acknowledges.
The right-handed batsman said that allowing the opposition batsmen to occupy the crease for longer periods could prove costly and wants his bowlers to pick up early wickets to put the visitors under pressure.
“But if and when we do that, as in all Test cricket, it is vital not to look too far ahead. Do that and the game will bite you on the bottom,” Bell concluded.
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