Ian bell confident ahead of the Ashes
England middle order batsman Ian Bell is confident ahead of the Ashes despite not having had the best of times against arch-rivals Australia.
Bell averages a poor 25 from 13 Tests in comparison to his overall Test match average, which currently sits at 42. However, Bell has described this issue as a thing of the past
and revealed that he is ready to take on the Australians and come out on top.
“Yes, I know that I can’t boast of having a great record against the Aussies. I have failed on a number of occasions in the years gone by. However, all that is now a thing of the
past. And, I am very much confident that I will do well this time around. I actually believe that the forthcoming series against Australia has come at the best possible time for me,” said Bell.
Bell explains that his new confidence is the result of his improvement as a cricketer over the last two years. He specifically pointed to the tour of South Africa last year as the
series that turned the corner for him.
“My success against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 was much needed. The performance there last winter gave my confidence a great flip. And, I haven’t really looked back from there,” he added.
The 28-year-old featured in the side that was drubbed 5-0 back in 2006/07 by Ricky Ponting’s men and called one of the worst sides in the history of English cricket despite having won the 2005 Ashes series
2-1.
The experienced Englishman confessed that it was a really tough tour but added that the wretched series was a great learning curve for the whole team and made him an improved player. He says this was evident
in the way he performed in South Africa.
Bell is now one of the most important players, along with the likes of Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss, in the side's quest to become the first England side to win in Australia since 1986/87.
Bell’s first challenge will be to regain full match fitness prior to the start of the first Test in Brisbane, which gets underway on 25 November. Bell had to sit out of the Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755
as he broke his foot while playing in a one-day international against Bangladesh.
The injury came at the most awkward time for Bell and his team. This is because he averaged over 100 in four Tests against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747. He recovered to play a key role in the end of Warwickshire’s season
but has admitted he still feels tweaks in his foot despite scoring a century in the CB40 final against Somerset.
Bell is positive that come Brisbane he will be in shape to take on the struggling Australians who have lost both opening matches in a limited overs series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
“I will give my best in all the tour games that precede the opening contest of the Ashes on November 25. I just wish that it is good enough for me to regain my place in the playing eleven. It has been
an enjoyable time, more so since I have been middling the ball well. It’s important for me to continue the same in the practice matches as well. I will remain focused and work hard in coming weeks to make myself Ashes-ready," he said.
Betting advice
Bell should have a much better series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 than he has done in the past. He will come in at vital times when the side is under pressure. Back Bell to get a big century at some point during
the series and also back him in any limited overs game England plays.
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