westoelad wrote:Both averaged mid thirties
Taken from all matches since their last test cap for England.
Bell 35.7
Collingwood 32.7
So Bell comes out on top for runs scored. Also has a more pure average, Collingwood must have batted down the order a lot because he has a lot of not outs per innings in comparison boosting that.
Given Bell agewise was in his mid thirties and Colly his forties
About a 18 month difference in Bells favour of age at last test cap. Although its not really a great indicator in the scope of the argument, as you would have to factor in how much work each have done in their career. As an example, Collingwood was 42 when he retired, Bell is 38 now... but Bell has more played a handful more FC matches, and actually their career spans from debut were made equal with Bell now in his 21st year as a FC cricketer.
Bell has played around double the tests of Collingwood, been on far more long tours, represented England U19 as Captain on three consecutive winters has a similar number of ODIs. If they were cars, Bell is newer, but hes got far more miles on the clock. I can imagine being involved with touring for 16 years when taking all formats to hand is incredible tiring over longer terms.
westoelad wrote:Colly's influence and leadership at Durham was massive; can't see Bell being likewise at Warwickshire.
All to do with his brilliant leadership?
Or down to the fact he was leading a team that cheated the salary rules in his first captaincy year, built a team that someone else ended up paying for, built an academy that bankrupted the club?
Im sure if Warwickshire bankrupted the club to provide Bell with the best facilities and team, he may have done a bit better.