Ian Bell hopeful of earning England call-up for Bangladesh Test series

Ian Bell has been in decent form for Warwickshire in the County Championship this year

England veteran Ian Bell is hopeful of earning a spot in the Test squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh and India after recent reports suggested that the 34-year-old could be in line for a return to the national side after being overlooked since England’s Test series against Pakistan in the UAE last year. England head Trevor Bayliss had also given an indication that Bell was very much in the plans of the national selectors. 

Despite being only in modest form for Warwickshire in the County Championship this year, Bell’s tremendous experience, especially on the turning pitches expected to be rolled out in the Indian subcontinent, has led to calls for the right-handed batsman to be included in the touring party. Bell’s chances have been further boosted by the withdrawal of ODI skipper Eoin Morgan and opener Alex Hales with former Australian batsman Chris Rogers even suggesting that Bell can be tried as an opener in place of the latter. 

Speaking about his chances for a recall, Bell said that he was simply concentrating on doing the best for his County side at the moment but added that he would be very pleased if does get picked for the Test team. 

"I think it's a really exciting winter for English cricket," Bell told Sky Sports News HQ. "The subcontinent is a tough place to go, and to win out there particularly in India is tough. The cricket will be hard as Bangladesh are improving all the time as we've seen. England want to improve their skills and win some cricket on the subcontinent, so it's going to be an exciting winter and hopefully I'm part of that, but if I'm watching it then I hope the guys go well."

Bell is confident that he can do a good job for England if he does indeed get selected but reiterated that his thoughts at present are squarely on helping Warwickshire end the season on a high. 

"I know what it's like to play for England. I know how tough it is and your job in the top order is to score runs but I'm just concentrating on what we're doing at Warwickshire," he said. "That's where I'm at at the minute, concentrating on what I've got to do and Warwickshire have got to do right now."

While opinions are divided on the decision taken by Hales and Morgan to withdraw from the Bangladesh series citing security concerns, Bell feels that the English national team will stand united in support of the decision taken by the duo considering the circumstances. 

"I don't think that (negative reactions) will be from the players. I think the players will be very united. They will back Morgy and he's been a fantastic captain for England so I don't think that will be any pressure from inside but I'm sure lots of people will talk and lots of people will have their opinions," Bell said.