Matt Prior praises Ian Bell's battling England knock against Pakistan
Thursday 15 October 2015 15:57, UK
Matt Prior hailed the fighting qualities of Ian Bell after his gritty half-century helped England to 290-3 at stumps on day three of the first Test against Pakistan.
Bell, who was dropped on one by Shan Masood, came to the wicket with just over half an hour to go until lunch and struggled his way to one not out off 27 deliveries at the interval.
After lunch the Warwickshire batman, who scored just 51 runs in six innings against Pakistan in the UAE in 2012, was far from his fluent best but featured in a 165-run partnership with captain Alastair Cook, who ended the day 168 not out.
A lapse in concentration late into the evening session finally did for Bell as he slashed Wahab Riaz to Mohammad Hafeez at point on 63, but Prior praised his contribution after overcoming his early struggles.
What Bell did was spot on. He was not very fluent, we can all see that but he fought his way through it.
"There's been a lot said about the last time England were in the UAE and Bell averaged in single figures for that series," Prior said. "There will have been a lot of talk about that and I know Bell takes those things seriously.
"It will have been playing on his mind. He's dropped two catches going into this innings and as he's walked out with the Pakistan players reminding him that's he's made two vital errors.
"He looks like he's fighting himself a little bit but the key is he didn't thrown it away. He's tried to find a way."
It was slow going for Bell in Abu Dhabi as he scored his 63 runs off 199 balls at a strike rate of just 31.65 but Prior believes the Wawrickshire batsman's innings was just what was required for him and England.
He said: "It's what good players do. It's all well and good walking to the crease and feeling a million dollars and taking a hundred. The great players are able to feel terrible and still do a job.
"They can find a way to hang around and scratch themselves to 40 or 50 and then they are off and running. It only takes one shot. One crisp cover drive and you are away."
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He added: "This is not the kind of wicket that you are going to hit your way back into form because there is no pace in it. Of course you can throw caution to the wind but also if you get out you have gifted your wicket away on what is a very flat surface.
"What Bell did was spot on. He was not very fluent, we can all see that but he fought his way through it."
