cricket with balls

Even if this test is abandoned under a biblical amount of water Ian Bell will have made his come back.

He has made it already.

He is wiser, more grown up, hungrier and ready to take the chance he has had only 46 times before.

It must be so, as many people in the media have said words to this effect.

Less than 6 months ago he was dropped, and he blamed it on the collapse of the 51.

In 2009 he has averaged 50 in first class cricket, with 2 hundreds in 11 games.

His average against Australia is 25.

The only country in world cricket he averages over 50 against is Pakistan.

On a pitch where Moores and Denly carted the Australians around, Bell failed twice.

17 batsmen have scored more first class runs than him in England this year; none of them have played more games.

So why is he ready now, when for 46 tests he teased at best?

Is he talented, fuck yeah.

But he was talented before he got the ass.

What in the 11 first class games and 2 hundreds has he learnt?

Has he had to overcome psychological hurdles?

Has he become at one with himself?

Has he run through a swamp on acid with a green smurf on his back?

Doubtful.

He seems to be going along at roughly the same rate he always has.

For some reason there is a propaganda war behind Bell, although not everyone is for him.

But it doesn’t add up.

I know one thing, the Aussies will be happy he is there.

And having seen Jonathon Trott bat of late, I am much happier he isn’t there.