Ian Bell set to become 12th English cricketer to play 100 Tests
The 32-year old Ian Bell, who made his England debut against West Indies in 2004 is on the verge of a personal landmark – to represent England in whites a 100 times.
"It's an amazing feeling. As a kid, all I wanted to do was play for England. People like Atherton, Stewart, you watch them get 100 Tests and you think it's what you'd love to do. That was my dream, so to manage to do it is an incredible feeling. It's why I played the game," Bell said who will be the 12th England player to play 100 Test matches when he steps out against Sri Lanka in the second Test match.
Commenting on his career that has seen quite a few ups and downs that threatened to end his career much earlier, he said: "There were times when I probably doubted it (reaching 100 Tests). In 2009, when I got left out in the winter in West Indies, I wondered whether I would get close to that. After that West Indies trip, I started to score runs when the team really needed them - and that's what I've tried to do That was a massive turning point in me, where I thought I could go on and get 100 Tests.”
"I was at Edgbaston watching on TV, and that was a feeling then that I didn't just want to be playing county cricket. Even with 40 Tests under my belt, I knew then I had to do more to stay in the side. I felt I had unfinished business. I knew that when I got my next chance, I didn't want to let it go," said Bell on getting dropped against West Indies in 2009.
"I feel lucky. When you look back when you finish I think that I've been very lucky to play in a great period of English cricket. There have been some great players that I've played with and I'm excited by the new challenges ahead of us as well,” added Bell who has won 4 Ashes series with England and was also part of the team that suffered a whitewash in Australia last season.
Despite all the high-five feelings, the right-hander mentioned that winning the last Test against Sri Lanka will be the ultimate goal.
"It's great to get to 100 Tests, but we've got a series to win. There are bigger things for this week. It was a great game at Lord's, and it's poised perfectly, so it would be a great way for me to mark 100 Tests if we won the series here. That's the goal.
"I hope there is a lot more to come To win four Ashes and win in India, they are the things I will look back on. I think we have done some good things, but I still think there are some special things around the corner," said the proud Englishmen who has 20 centuries and 40 half centuries to his name.
The second Test of the tour begins on June 20, Friday at Leeds.