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Ian Bell retires from ODIs to prolong career in Tests

Bell retires with a tally of 5,416, the most by an Englishman in ODIs, from 161 matches.

Ian Bell made his last ODI appearance against Afghanistan during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 © Getty Images
Ian Bell made his last ODI appearance against Afghanistan during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 © Getty Images

England cricketer Ian Bell announced his decision to retire from One-Day International (ODI) cricket with immediate effect on Friday. The 33-year-old had earlier hinted at retiring from Tests following the conclusion of the five-match Ashes 2015, but later withdrew the claims in a statement in which he stated that he still “had the hunger and desire to continue in Test cricket”. Bell retires with a tally of 5,416 runs, the most by an Englishman in the 50-over format, from 161 matches at an average of 37.87. Bell was not considered for the limited-overs squads in recent tournaments, which played a part in prompting Bell to take the step. READ: I have hunger and desire to continue Test cricket, says Ian Bell

Bell was in average form during the recently-concluded Ashes, which England won 3-2 to regain the urn from their arch-rivals. Bell managed a total of 215 runs from nine innings at an average of 26.87, poor by his standards. He did manage three fifties in the series however. Bell made his last ODI appearance in England’s final match during their disastrous ICC World Cup 2015 campaign against Afghanistan, which England won by nine wickets. The right-handed batsman was not considered for any limited-overs engagements thereafter, with England played five-match ODI series and a one-off Twenty20 International (T20I) against New Zealand at home. England also announced their squads for the upcoming one-off T20I and five-ODI series against Australia, both of which did not mention Bell.

“I spoke with coach Trevor Bayliss and Alastair Cook after the Oval loss, we had a really good talk and I was as honest as I could be. Deep down, though, I think I probably knew I wasn’t ready to call time on my England Test career. I still have that hunger and desire,” Bell was quoted as writing in his column on Metro.co.uk, on his decision to carry himself on in Tests.

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