What if Ian Bell....

Is it just me or does anyone else think that this guy could be something really special if he showed more self-belief. I first took notice of him in the last ashes series, and i was very impressed by his strokeplay and how he was fearless against warne. Best cover drive in cricket right now imo, very balanced with beautiful tempo, good player of spin as well should be interesting to see how his career pans out

I think his self-confidence is something he has worked on since his entry to international cricket, where he struggled against Australia after an easy start.

Originally posted by americancricket Best cover drive in cricket right now

Not even in England team

Agreed Kerm , but Bell is starting to blossom. It can't be long before we see an innings (SL ?)  where he takes control and dominates and bowlers won't fancy a spell.  He'll never be a KP , but why can't he become a Mark Waugh/Damien Martyn or even a David Gower ?

   Optimistic today , me !  

He's crediting Andy Flower and Allan Donald for his resurgence. I say sign them both up on long-term deals - Flower was a fine player of spin and Bell has apparently spent a long time in the nets being helped by Flower ready for Sri Lanka.

At first i expected Ian Bell to become one of England best test player in the future but i am having a serious scare with Ian Bell ability in Odi matches at the moment in this series.

Edited by BackFoot Master - 30 August 2007 at 1:53am

you might be jinxing it 

Yep , he looks like he belongs out there nowadays.

Originally posted by Sledger  He's in a rich vein of form and the quickish track at Old Trafford should suit him.  He's passed 50 in every innings so far and I won't be surprised in the least if he does it again today.

told you

Hey sledge, with all due respect to you and Bell, arent you rating Bell tooo high? He doesnt have those ingredients of a MArk Waugh, Martyn or a Gower i beleive!! He is very good and effective and thats good enough for him to be in the team

Edited by zuhair_abbasi - 31 August 2007 at 7:10am

I think he'll be a pretty good test player. He already has what it takes; not too sure about the ODI's though, mainly because I haven't seen him bat this series at all!

I do hope Ian Bell has plan to continue his good knocks in ODI match in the next couple of series and not against India alone.

Originally posted by americancricket Is it just me or does anyone else think that this guy could be something really special if he showed more self-belief. I first took notice of him in the last ashes series, and i was very impressed by his strokeplay and how he was fearless against warne. Best cover drive in cricket right now imo, very balanced with beautiful tempo, good player of spin as well should be interesting to see how his career pans out     cheers

Originally posted by Sledger Agreed Kerm , but Bell is starting to blossom. It can't be long before we see an innings (SL ?)  where he takes control and dominates and bowlers won't fancy a spell.  He'll never be a KP , but why can't he become a Mark Waugh/Damien Martyn or even a David Gower ?    Optimistic today , me !

perhaps, i am a bit sceptical though. Almost all his decent innings in test cricket have been when the team is already on top or when they were playing Bangaldesh. Until, as you say, he has a blinder where he scores 50% of the runs or something or scores a ton against Australia I will rate him as a talented, yet mentally weak member of the squad. I would rather have Mark Ramprakash in.

Mark Ramprakash has had his chance top-of-off! He's the past and Bell is the present!