Alastair Cook says a break will do Ian Bell 'the world of good'
Wednesday 25 November 2015 23:20, UK
England captain Alastair Cook is adamant that Ian Bell still has a future at Test level, despite having been left out of the squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa.
Bell, 33, has played 118 Tests for England, averaging 42.69, and he has a good record in South Africa.
However, the Warwickshire man has been somewhat short of runs at the highest level since a century against West Indies back in April.
And Cook thinks Bell will benefit from the chance to take a break from the game and come back refreshed.
"It was a really tough call for the selectors and obviously your thoughts are with Belly," said Cook. "You never want to miss out on any tour.
"At the end of the day, it is about runs on the board. I don't think Belly has quite scored the number of runs he would have liked over the last year or so.
"I think this is a real good challenge for him.
"He has been a constant in the England side, or the England A side, or the under-19s. He probably has not stopped touring for 12 or 13 years, so a real good break, I think, will do him the world of good.
"He is a seriously good player and I think a bit of time away from the side will do him the world of good. I haven't managed to get hold of him yet but there is definitely a way back."
And England's leading Test wicker-taker James Anderson also thinks there is every chance that Bell will be back in the side at some point.
"There is definitely a way back, for sure," said the Lancashire seamer. "I imagine the selectors would have told him to go away and score mountains of runs for Warwickshire, which he is more than capable of.
"If he has still got the hunger and desire, which I am sure he has, then he can fight his way back in."
Live International T20 Cricket
