Bell settles quickly into Pietersen's role

It should be of little surprise. Bell was the obvious choice. There was much talk of plunging any number of tyros into the squad in Pietersen’s stead, but this was just misty-eyed romanticism. The best man was waiting outside the office door. Bell is still only 30. His batting currently counts as some of the best in Test cricket. The advent of two new balls was always going to help the more conventional players like him. He simply had to have another chance.