Matthew Bell, a top-order batsman, made his debut for Northern Districts in 1994 marked by his dismissal: hit-wicket. It took him until his third season to make his maiden first-class hundred and in 1998 was called up to the Test squad to face India. Stomach cramps marred his entry to the international arena, however, and he was unavailable for the remainder of the summer. He was retained for New Zealand's tour of England the following season and, although he made a watchful 83 at Old Trafford, he struggled to make an impact in the series. His maiden hundred though, against Pakistan in 2001, was instrumental in helping New Zealand win the third Test and draw the series 1-1. Although selected to tour Australia later that year, his poor form against a strong Australia attack led to his exclusion to New Zealand's tour of Pakistan the following April. A prolific start to the 2007-08 domestic season brought him a promotion to the Test squad for the home series against Bangladesh more than six years after his previous appearance.
Will Luke January 2008