Bell: Back in the runs
It was a disappointing series against New Zealand not to score as many runs as I would have liked, but I've got a lot of belief in my own ability to carry on and keep improving
Ian Bell
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Ian Bell is hoping his double hundred for Warwickshire can kick-start his form for the second half of the summer.
The 26-year-old struggled for runs in England's three-Test series with New Zealand, managing to score just 45 in four innings.
However, he returned to form in spectacular fashion in the LV County Championship Division Two fixture against Gloucestershire at Edgbaston.
Bell batted for over five-and-a-half hours to make 215, a sign he hopes of good things to come ahead of four Tests against South Africa.
Big score
"Hopefully it's the start of the rest of the year for me and I can carry on," he told Sky Sports News.
"I really enjoyed it (the double hundred). It's probably what I needed at this stage of the season, to go out there and get a big score behind me."
England's selectors will announce the squad for the first match of the series against the Proteas at Lord's on Thursday.
Despite a recent lean run at international level Bell seems certain to be picked, particularly after his efforts in county action.
Faith
The right-hander admits that with competition for places it was vital he got amongst the runs, though he insists he never lost faith in his own ability.
"We (England) haven't batted as well as a unit as we have done in previous months," Bell added.
"It's important we score runs and there's competition for places. I look back and it was only four Test matches ago that I scored a hundred.
"It was a disappointing series against New Zealand not to score as many runs as I would have liked, but I've got a lot of belief in my own ability to carry on and keep improving."
