Averaging 36 over his last 41 Tests.Was 52 not that long ago.
Even in the Ashes, although his tons were very important, he didn't ever properly bury Australia with them. He's got 4 Ashes tons with a top score of 115, which isn't brilliant.Indeed. Ian Bell strikes me as the sort of player who has always done just about enough to stay in the side without ever really kicking on and taking it to the next level (with the exception of the Ashes in 2013). In addition, getting rid of him at any point during his career would basically send the message that no one in the ECB wants to hear, which is basically the fact that he is now a 11+ year running investment that is likely to only ever return face value at the end. That being said, I really do hope we dont see him wearing the colored kits again.
Steady on, it's what kept you getting blasted out for 150 on multiple occasions and losing three TestsEven in the Ashes, although his tons were very important, he didn't ever properly bury Australia with them. He's got 4 Ashes tons with a top score of 115, which isn't brilliant.
They were the reason we won the seriesEven in the Ashes, although his tons were very important, he didn't ever properly bury Australia with them. He's got 4 Ashes tons with a top score of 115, which isn't brilliant.
I'm nitpicking but he really should have made at least one of them a big one, instead of making Smith look like Shane Warne circa 2005.Steady on, it's what kept you getting blasted out for 150 on multiple occasions and losing three Tests