Twitterati urge the selectors to bring back Ian Bell in England Test side

England’s batting woes in the Tests have been exposed by India in the ongoing third Test at Trent Bridge. It was a matter of time though as they were struggling for a long time and it needed a game like the ongoing one in Nottingham to open up the eyes. However, amidst all the struggles, the fans are urging the selectors to bring back Ian Bell to stabilise the batting line-up for some time.

Even in the first couple of Tests, they found wanting and it was only due to the all-rounders Sam Curran and Chris Woakes that the hosts managed to turn the game around. More than anything else, the way Alastair Cook and Joe Root are struggling is a thing to worry for England in the longest format. Keaton Jennings hasn’t done anything to secure his place in the side even as Dawid Malan was dropped earlier.

The spots are up for grabs in England’s Test set up and no wonder why Bell can’t come back keeping in mind, the Ashes will be played at home next year.

Bell’s scintillating form

Ian Bell’s scintillating form in the ongoing County Championship has increased his chances of coming back stronger. He has so far played in 9 matches (16 innings) for Warwickshire and has amassed 667 runs at an impressive average of 51.30. The veteran has also scored 3 centuries to go with a couple of fifty-plus scores during his time in the middle. Also, his highest score of 172 proves that the right-hander still has the ability to play big knocks.

England will be most probably missing the services of Jonny Bairstow for the rest of the series due to a finger injury to him. It is also likely that Alastair Cook (who is already struggling) will miss the fourth Test due to the birth of his child and it remains to be seen how selectors handle the situation. They will certainly be under extreme pressure to drop Jennings and back Bell.

Twitterati was also of the opinion that the veteran of 118 Tests has to come back in order to resurrect the issues and if not England will continue to struggle in the whites.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

I would back @Ian_Bell for an England recall – even when he was dropped, I thought England should have stuck with him. They still have spots for grab in the line up!

— Kalim Khan (@Kallerz37) August 21, 2018

@prat1204 I'm pretty sure that Rory Burns will get his debut cap at the Ageas Bowl for Jennings. Even Cook is expected to miss due to the birth of his child. Who replaces him then? If Bairstow misses out then Ian Bell might make a comback too. Plenty of questions for England.

— Pratham Sharma (@Pratham_KS) August 21, 2018

Moeen Ali and Ian Bell on current form, can afford to switch at least 1

— Ash Thompson (@a_thompson7) August 21, 2018

Loving all this, recall @Ian_Bell stuff. Jettisoned far too early. Class is everlasting.

— Brian McMullan (@BrianMJMcMullan) August 21, 2018

They need to recall Ian Bell!

— Love Is Pain (@InkNotMink02) August 21, 2018

Don't tell me you forgot about the old horse Ian Bell 😭

— Adi ツ (@Aditya_Kat0ch) August 21, 2018

And we're back to what we're best at. Making changes for the next test. England needs to bring in Mooen Ali, Ian Bell, Rory Burns and Sam Curran as replacements for Rashid, Pope, Jennings and Bairstow. Could be a potential match-winning combination. #ENGvIND #IndiaVsEngland

— Getsportiv (@GetSportiv) August 21, 2018

Time for an end to be named after Ian Bell I think

— star1234 (@amstar182) August 21, 2018

I would love to see Ian Bell make a comeback next test.. #ENGvsIND 👍

— Adi ツ (@Aditya_Kat0ch) August 21, 2018

Cook has lost his touch while Jennings has underperformed. Time for England to maybe bring back @Ian_Bell and hand @roryburns17 his test debut cap. #ENGvIND

— Ronald D Sampson (@RDSampson_25) August 21, 2018

@ECB_cricket had called @KP24 for India tour, now they can call @Ian_Bell @BCCI #ENGvIND

— Chittaranjan (@ChittaPattnaik) August 21, 2018

Cooks record wouldn’t be discussed if KP played for another year as he would have the highest test runs…. I’d bring Ian Bell back tbh or go for a left hand right hand partnership

— Sam Stanton (@Sam_Stanton1989) August 21, 2018

Cook is expected to miss next test, means much needed opportunity for Rory Burns and bring Ian Bell as well. Bat Pope at 6 , Curran should be back. #INDvENG

— Anish Mooen-ali (@ItsAnishM) August 21, 2018

It’s time for a proper number 3. Arise Sir Ian of Bellington. Bring back Ian Bell..#ENGvIND #ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/gnPvJQR4ZM

— Chris Sutton (@chrissutton12) August 21, 2018

Am from india but I also think,for england Ian bell is better option in middle order rather then others..

— Er Santosh Kandpal (@santoshkandpal9) August 21, 2018

@bbctms @Swannyg66 I would pick @thecompdog no 2 and bring back Ian bell at 3 @root66 no4 @benstokes38 5 @jbairstow21 6 if fit, and Ali at 8.
We just cantbat for more than a day.
Opposition score over 300 we lose the test.@MichaelVaughan @philtufnell

— Greg Wigens (@wiggy1970) August 21, 2018

@JohnErroll1973 I think it might happen next test… Ian Bell

— Greg Hodge (@greg_hodge) August 21, 2018

@nassercricket Wonder why #IanBell has never been considered as a middle order solution by #England selectors. Even if it's a short term solution, it would still be better than Vince or Malan. #ENGvIND. They've never managed to replace the middle order solidity of #Trott & #Bell.

— TANSEN (@tanny_habib) August 21, 2018

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