Ian Bell: Time for a change

It's time for Ian Bell to go. His form has been in rapid decline over the last two years. Over this period, of the 73 top order batsman (1-6) that have played at least 5 Test matches, Bell's average (31.18) ranks him 56th. His average is almost identical to Sam Robson (30.54) and he was discarded from the England setup after just 7 games.

22 matches with an average of 31.18 for a top order batsman just isn't good enough. Of these 22 matches, 15 have come batting at number 4, where his average dips further (28.28). Of the 14 batsman that have batted at number 4 and played at least 5 Test matches over the last 2 years, only Darren Bravo (23.14) and Thirimanne (10.71) have a lower average.

His average over the last 12 months now stands at 30.94. That's not good. For reference, Shane Watson's average over the same period is 26.91 and he bats six and contributes with the ball.

His poor run of form has been further highlighted by the problems with the opening batsman not named Alastair Cook. Over the last two years, Cook's opening partners have averaged just 25.17. Carberry, Robson, Root and Trott have all failed alongside him and Lyth doesn't appear to be the answer. Compounding matters further is Ballance's poor form and footwork which teams are exploiting at will.

Thanks for your service Ian Bell, but the time has come for a change.

it does looks like Bell  is done...

wat is he ...33 ::confused::  just about the right time for regular english players. I expect Anderson to follow him soon....and Board soon

what the hell you going into a test match with 3 bowlers for.  that is a recipe for disaster.

Moeen Ali is not a full out test bowler.  how they hell you expect a kid who is really a batsman to bowl fifty overs for you..and bat too ::confused::

why would you convert a player who can bat as well as Moeen into a bowler by batting him at #8 and bowling out his liver string >

I watch jakass england policy and I am stunned.  england management from a cricket competence angle is as bad as west wicb.

pick 4 real bowlers..rule #1...a keeper..and 6 batsmen...rules 2 and 3.

next rule:  if your 6 best batsmen cannot cut it ..adding a seventh is a waste of time. your seventh is bound to be an ever greater shittong so what you adding him for..to make your bowling weaker and so the game even harder to win ::confused:: ::confused:: ::confused::

get a spinner..a real one... and drop Ali into the top order of batsmen. use his bowling as an addition, an advantage most of the time

england's team is poorly selected and it was bound to catch up with them. who is the unnecessary and stupid coach they have hired this time ::confused::

I think Jimmy, Broad, Wood and Stokes is a decent frontline seam attack. I am not as high on Stokes' bowling as others, but I think he is more than adequate as a fourth seamer. Lets not forget that it was only last week that they bundled out Australia inside 4 days. The big problem England's seamers face, is age and injuries. Neither Jimmy nor Broad are getting any younger and Wood has had a hard time playing in back-to-back country matches, let alone Test matches. Having to play two Test matches in back-to-back weeks took a lot of bite out of Jimmy and Wood.

With regards to Moeen, he really isn't a Test batsman. He has continually been exposed by the short ball - in both Test and ODI's. His dismissal today was a prime example of this. His Test match average now stands at 29.35. This is lower than Bell's own average over the last year. Of the 56 top order batsman (1-6) that have played at least 5 Test matches over the last year, this average would rank him 49th. He really isn't good enough to play as a top order batsman only.

what I look at with Moeen is his innings when his back is against the wall, the team in trouble.

I have not been following him in detail but I noted that once or twice he scored big tons to save england.  its like Collie Smith used to do for the west indies....

when times were toughest those were the times Smith got going to score bigger an bigger tons to save the game

and note Smiths technical shortcomings  and batting record all along..a replica of Moeen almost.  and Smith also bowled effective off-spin.

I really like Moeens skill set as they call it. I would go to the wall for that guy..make sure he has every opportunity to be successful.  I think he can be a great player.  technical problems can be over come.

maybe he can become a front line spinner but I doubt it.  he can take quick wickets..even cause a collapse.  but I don't thing he can be depended on for the grind of a front line spinner. for me I would make him into a #5 or 6 batsman who can bowler effectively..and look to him for 20 max overs in a match

what say you

but remember:  this is an england problem!

were it mine I would have been following them all in detail

::LOL:: ::LOL:: ::LOL::
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I will preface this statement by saying that I am a big Moeen fan. However, he really hasn't looked comfortable at the Test level as of yet. I'd be really afraid of moving him up the order and having him face the new ball with extra pace and bounce (even on these docile pitches). Batting lower down the order, he has typically faced tired bowlers with an older ball, this has helped mask some of his technical problems. He is a decent player of spin and so this also makes him a better fit lower in the order, in my opinion. His strikerate (44.94) just further proves that he hasn't quite found his feet yet.

With the ball, I agree. I don't think he is a frontline spinner. He never has been, not even on the county circuit. His coming out party was last summer against India and Sri Lanka where he was a revelation. But since then, he has publicly admitted that he is no longer confident enough to bowl the doosra for fear of getting banned. This has limited his arsenal. In saying all of that, he has still picked up wickets at a decent clip. Since his debut, his bowling average (31.38) is lower than Nathan Lyon, for instance, and his strikerate (49) is third best among all spinners over the last year.

It should also be noted, though, that he hasn't been as effective against WI, NZ and AUS. He was injured during the World Cup and since returning he hasn't looked quite the same. He has struggled with his line and length and his numbers aren't nearly as impressive: 19 wickets at an average of 42.31 and strikerate of 64.6.

As an unabashed fan of leggies, I'd like to see what Rashid has to offer at the Test level. The pitch at Edgbaston this year has been receptive to spin so it is possible that both Rashid and Moeen play in tandem in the next Test. Rashid in for Bell, move Buttler to 6, Mo to 7 and Rashid at 8. I can't see England picking two spinners in an Ashes series at home, mind.

I am less worried about his batting than his bowling.  indeed all I worry about with Moeen is if england will persist with him

the guy has character and england would be rewarded fully I believe.  he will beat all his shortcomings..with ball and bat..

I see your point with england's 3 front line bowlers but there were not enough at Lord here.  england needs a fourth bowler.  Ali along with Roots gives them 6 options.  good going that wud be

I am not afraid of promoting Ali in in the order at all....

put him at 6 and get him in there with the film and the batting coach and a lot of practice

I think Moeen will get plenty of rope. Rashid is the only other spinner that could potentially replace him and its quite clear that the selectors don't believe he can be a Test bowler. I think Moeen is England's first choice spinner by default really. There just isn't a lot to choose from. It spoke volumes when James Tredwell was picked ahead of Rashid when Moeen was out injured for the first Test against West Indies. Tredwell can't even get in the first XI of his county side!

Alastair Cook's opening partner has been something of a revolving door over the last 2 years, but outside of that, England have really stuck with the nucleus of the batting lineup. If anything, they tend to stick with established players for too long than cut bait early, as has been seen with Bell over the last 12 months.

I would like to see Jonny Bairstow in the Test squad  !!

Jos can be the ODI and T20 glove man !