hopeforthebest wrote:I think Bell plays well for Warks because it's a functional unit whereas since 2012 England has been in a state of flux and and dysfunctional at times. I've been critical of Bell as much as anyone when he's deserved it and he is exasperating very much as Gower was exasperating at times. But this litany of listing his failures and ignoring his successes gets irritating.
I think the patience people have in the team has eroded because of that dysfunction, and unfortunately no one seems to have been effected greater than Ian Bell, imo. As stated above, Bell is in many ways a barometer of English batting in his career, when he does well, the team does well.... when he fails, the batting line up as a whole stalls.
The problem for Bell is, when the team does well, other players also do well too (or at least that is my perception). Lots of his successes are devalued because of that, maybe unfairly, but then again while he has been scapegoated for his failures, others have paid a greater price.
Eoin Morgan bought it in UAE
Patel bought it after the loss to SL in the first test away in 11/12
Strauss, KP and Taylor bought it for South Africa
KP and Carberry bought it again in OZ
Bairstow bought it before that tour in England when the batting failed
Prior copped it after the India Loss at Lords
Compton already had the hangmans noose over his head in his last test vs New Zealand...... they were quick to jump over Robson as a failure
Trott didn't ride out the Windies tour
Lyth has bought it this tour. Ballance bought it after one loss in the last series
Every England batting failure has been met with a blood letting, and Bell has been part of those failures consistently. Only Cook, as Captain, and Bell are the people to escape the shame of having their career torn apart. Root was even dropped at the start of 2014.
I can accept that having a team change around you all the time is difficult. I can also accept that Bell has been managed poorly, he should be batting at 5 or 6 where he has always played better, and not in positions where he struggles. No doubt the epic dressing room furore has had an impact on him, and others. Its simply not a healthy environment..... yet if others bought it, why not Bell? What is he doing that others aren't? Robson averaged better then Bell is this season with his 2014 performances. Why protect a guy that hasn't performed for 4 years over a guy who could be a brilliant prospect?
The answer to those questions answer themselves. England have messed a lot up, and in doing so, have messed a lot of people up. I accept that. I mitigate Bell slightly for that.....
The bottom line though.... I don't think Bell wants it anymore. That's the attitude I get. Its understandable as a reflection from the never ending crap he and others put up with, but that's it. I don't see a desire to bat all day in him, to prove people wrong.