Bell: Players must take more responsibility
England batsman Ian Bell feels the senior players, himself in particular, must take more responsibility within the side, and not allow the blame for defeats to fall on the shoulders of the coaches.
England batsman Ian Bell feels the senior players, himself in particular, must take more responsibility within the side, and not allow the blame for defeats to fall on the shoulders of the coaches.
Bell scored a half century in England's win over Scotland in a one-off ODI on Friday, which was new coach Peter Moores' first game in charge. Moores was appointed, his second bite at the England cherry, after Andy Flower resigned post-Ashes tour.
That trip to Australia was disastrous, resulting in a number of backroom changes, but Bell feels the players must be allowed to take more responsibility, and also the blame when things go wrong.
Bell said after the win in Aberdeen: "Looking back, you can't blame the coaches for what happened in the winter.
"We should have taken responsibility and didn't do that. We hope he will now give us the chance to make amends.
"The players have to stand up and score runs and take wickets, no matter who's coaching. We've got two guys who have been brilliant so far.
"They will be finding their feet over the next few days, but they have challenged us already.
"We've really enjoyed it, but it's about the players standing up and winning games for England."
One of Moores' main failing in his first stint, according to various players' recollections, was that he was too rigid, and too controlling of the players and the tactics. Bell feels he was mellowed with age, and the players are keen to help their coach.
Bell continued: "He's a very good coach with lots of qualities, and I'm sure he's learnt from mistakes he's made – I know he's said that.
"I think he's got that experience of probably understanding international cricket a bit more. I'm sure he's learnt a lot in the five years he's been with Lancashire.
"Maybe he will go away a bit from looking at stats all the time and give a bit more responsibility to us. It's important for us to make decisions."
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.