Bell pleased to finally convert a start to a ton
England batsman Ian Bell was delighted with his 187 runs in the tour match in Canberra on Wednesday, as England beat the Prime Minister's XI by 60 runs after scoring 391 runs on a belter of a deck.
The opener was thrilled to finally convert a start into a big score, his biggest in the 50-over format both domestically and internationally. He felt he had played the perfect knock, making his runs off 145 balls.
Bell said after the game: "I've been guilty in one-day cricket of getting a lot of 50s and not converting enough, but this is what I can do if I bat 45.5 overs or whatever it was.
"I've spoken to (coach) Peter Moores about that and I believe I can play at the top of the order for England. The thing is converting starts into match-winning scores.
"Today was pretty much perfect template-wise and that's how I'd like to play in one-day cricket. If I can do that a couple of times this winter, that's great for the team."
The veteran batsman also said he was happy to be able to rely on his place, after having a chat with skipper Eoin Morgan at the start of the tour. He wanted to pay the captain back for his faith, and was pleased to have done so.
He said: "Coming out here I didn't know where I was going to bat or if I would start, so it was nice to have a good chat with Morgs and for him to say I would get first crack at opening.
"That filled me with a lot of confidence. I've done a lot of netting in the last month or so but not a lot of game time. It was nice to get a really big score in a competitive match.
"You want it to be competitive, people playing for places. That's a good thing but it's nice to get on the tour and start well."
Latest
-
NewsDan Lawrence adamant he will stick to ‘unique’ batting technique in Test arena
The 23-year-old should make his Test debut when England start their two-match series against Sri Lanka.
-
NewsSteve Smith criticised for appearing to scuff Rishabh Pant’s guard in third Test
Former Australia captain Steve Smith was branded “childish” after an incident during the final day of their drawn third Test against India
-
NewsTim Paine admits he let the Australian bowlers down
Australia captain Tim Paine believes he was at least partially to blame for his side failing to bowl India.
-
NewsTesting times on tour in Sri Lanka – the life of an international cricketer
Gloucestershire’s James Bracey is on his first overseas tour with England. Here he writes about his experiences so far in Sri Lanka.
-
NewsIndia salvage unlikely draw in third Test against Australia
India salvaged an unlikely draw as the third Test against Australia reached a thrilling finale.
-
NewsChris Silverwood backs ‘fighter’ Dan Lawrence to make step up to Test cricket
The Essex batsmen is in line for an England Test debut against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
-
NewsRavichandran Ashwin condemns alleged racial abuse of Mohammed Siraj by SCG fans
Play was halted on day four of the third Test between Australia and India while six spectators were escorted out of Sydney Cricket Ground by police.
-
NewsInvestigation launched after Indian players allegedly abused by crowd in Sydney
Play was held up while police and security guards escorted six people from Sydney Cricket Ground.
-
NewsJos Buttler determined to keep standards high with gloves and bat in Sri Lanka
The 30-year-old has Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow for competition in the England side.
-
NewsEngland’s Dom Bess thinks pitch for Friday’s warm-up won’t be repeated in series
England finally took to the pitch in Hambantota for a low-key workout between Team Root and Team Buttler.