Bell: I can get my England place back

England

Ian Bell understands why he was dropped from the England Test team but believes he can work his back into the side if he is playing at his best at domestic level.

The 33 year-old batsman was dropped for the current tour of South Africa after having a nightmare spell with the willow over the last two years or so.

Bell played in the Test team for 11 years and 118 Tests and says he has huge respect to England's Director of cricket, and former teammate, Andrew Strauss, and coach Trevor Bayliss for explaining the decision to him personally.

The right-handed player said: "I still believe that if I'm playing at my best, I get in that side. I wasn't going to sit there and argue that I should have been in.

"I understood. I understand what it takes to be a top-order player for England, and what I'd expect of myself. I was short of that. So no arguments. And a lot of respect to Straussy for coming to see me. It's easy to do a phone call.

"The harder thing is to come and do it face-to-face. Trevor [Bayliss, the coach] did the same when he got back. It was very much appreciated."

The new Warwickshire captain also lauded the current side for their efforts against the Proteas, where they have won the Test series against the world's top-ranked side away from home.

Bell continued: "It's been an unbelievable achievement. I'm really pleased for all those guys. It makes me think, 'I want to be part of that'."

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