Ian Bell Keen For The County Season To Begin; Desperate To "Give Back" To Warwickshire

Ian Bell might have been left behind by the English national selectors but remains a vital part of the Warwickshire County Cricket Club. Ian Bell skipped the entire 2019 season due to injury; however, having renewed his contract till the 2021 edition, Bell admits he cannot wait to go out and swing his bat in the middle.

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Having made his debut in 1999, Ian Bell has stayed with the Warwickshire from the beginning. The 38-year old has plied his trade in 307 first-class games, mustering over 20000 runs at43.93 with 57 tons. As far his England career goes, he has not played a Test since November 2015. In place of Bell, England brought in the likes of Gary Ballance, Ben Duckett, James Vince, Dawid Malan, and Tom Westley in the middle-order with mixed results.

Ian Bell admits it was quite frustrating to be merely sitting in the garden and not being able to play. Hence, with the season to start on the 1st of August, they sense light at the end of the tunnel, which they are looking forward to.

“It was so frustrating when the season was due to start to be sat in the garden but not being able to play. Now there is some light at the end of the tunnel with some championship and T20 coming up and we are all looking forward to it so much,” Bell stated as quoted by Edgbaston.com

The veteran added that it has not been a desired last 18 months for him due to him suffering an injury and the COVID-19 pandemic forcing cricket into suspension. Bell, who returned to fitness in April, remembered the weather being incredible at that time, which would have been a favourable time to play.

“It’s been a frustrating 18 months for me, last year in particular being injured, and then suddenly this year we were in a world not playing sport. It was frustrating having worked so hard to get fit – and then also we had such incredible weather in what would have been the start of the season,” Ian Bell said.

I want to play and they wanted me here: Ian Bell

However, knowing that the season will kickstart shortly and the extension of his contract, makes him delighted to have a chance to secure some trophies for his side.

“But hopefully now we are not far away from getting going and, having signed another contract, it’s nice to know that I’ll be out there for the Bears this year and next, hopefully helping to bring some more trophies to Edgbaston,” he added.

Ian Bell continued saying that he never wanted to play for any club other than Warwickshire and it was an honour to sign another contract. Moreover, it was not a hard negotiation as the team wanted him as much as he wanted to play for the side. Former English seamer Tim Bresnan, who parted ways from Yorkshire also joined Warwickshire.

“I was delighted to sign another contract. I’ve never thought about playing for anyone other than Warwickshire. It wasn’t a hard negotiation. I want to play and they wanted me here,” Bell stated.

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