Bell shines to put Warwickshire in charge

Warwickshire 233 for 3 v Nottinghamshire
Scorecard

Such was the excellence of Alastair Cook over the winter, that Ian Bell's contribution to England's Ashes success was easily overlooked.

But Bell came of age over the winter. Ending the series with an average of 66 and a maiden Ashes century to his name, Bell finally silenced all but the most dogmatic doubters. He had, at last, graduated from promise to substance.

Now, however, aged 29 and the veteran of 62 Tests, the time is right for Bell to progress again. Established as a good Test player, he now has the opportunity to earn himself a reputation as one of the finest batsmen currently playing international cricket.

His batting here bodes well. Against a high-quality attack and on a pitch offering some assistance, Bell combined solidity with flair in a most impressive innings. He looks a fine, fine player. And he looks hungry.

Bell was not the only batsman to impress. Varun Chopra, William Porterfield and Jonathan Trott also played some sparkling strokes against an attack perhaps striving a little too hard to justify their captain's decision to insert the opposition.

But while Trott, Chopra and Porterfield flourished only briefly - all falling to edges - Bell scarcely played a false stroke and looked determined to provide something more substantial than a cameo.

Warwickshire were grateful for Bell's defiance. Their last three innings against this opposition have totalled only 373 runs for 30 wickets, culminating in them losing 20 wickets in a day last August. Bell was not present in either game, however, and provides a far stiffer spine to his team. He'll be sorely missed when he departs on England duty.

Perhaps Nottinghamshire can count themselves unfortunate. Andre Adams beat the bat frequently and might have dismissed Porterfield, in particularly, on a dozen occasions. Porterfield also survived two tough chances, both off Adams, who had good cause to curse some of the out-fielding that dented his figures and released pressure on the batsmen. Mark Wagh was, by some distance, the worst offender.

Still, there were some encouraging signs from an England perspective. Stuart Broad, while not quite at his best just yet, looks to be coming to the boil nicely, though Graeme Swann was only given two overs on a green if sluggish first-day pitch that encouraged the seamers throughout. Warwickshire started well. With both opening bowlers over-pitching, Porterfield and Chopra launched into a series of sumptuous drives, posting 72 for the first wicket in just 16 overs, before Chopra was drawn into an extravagant drive at one that left him and edged to slip.

The introduction of Adams made life more difficult for the batsmen. Though Porterfield, another man who will be absent on international duty (Ireland play Pakistan in two ODIs at the end of the month) next week, recorded his second half-century of the Championship campaign, a good portion of his runs came from edges through point or gully. His dismissal, inside edging one that may have nipped back a fraction, was no more than Adams deserved.

Trott was soon into his stride, however. Timing the ball delightfully on both sides of the wicket, he looked in decent touch for a fellow who has spent the first few weeks of the season plying his trade on horrible surfaces. But, with a big score seemingly his for the taking, Trott fished at one he could have left and departed. He has now scored just 93 runs in five Championship innings. Through it all, however, Bell remained unbeaten. His driving through extra-cover was beautiful; his flicks off the hip masterful. But, most of all, he picked which balls to leave and defend better than any of his colleagues and retained his concentration despite several rain delays that eventually shortened the day by 37 overs.

Mohammad Yousuf, back to his best after a century against Worcestershire, provided company during the last 45 minutes of the day but, in conditions that should be better for batting on the second day, the game remains just about in the balance.

Meanwhile, it appears that Warwickshire will have to wait until next week before their appeal into the points penalty for a pitch deemed 'poor' in the game against Worcestershire is to be heard.