Renowned England batsman Ian Bell, who played his last international game in 2015, has announced his retirement from professional cricket. The veteran will hang his boots at the end of this English summer in 2020.
Meanwhile, Bell made his debut in 2004 and his international career ranged for 11 years leading England’s batting for a significant period. During his time, Ian Bell won five Ashes series out of seven. He was the Player of the Series in the 2013 series, where he scored 562 runs at an average of 62.44.
Bell also holds a good record in the ODIs. With 5416 runs he was England’s leading run-getter in the format until current captain Eoin Morgan overtook him in 2018. Bell remains third on the list of England’s most prolific run-scorers in the fifty-over format.
Ian Bell announces retirement from professional cricket
The 38-year-old elegant batsman took to microblogging website Twitter to announce his decision. Ian Bell wrote a heart-wrenching statement as he bids farewell to his first love. This decision, interestingly, comes just a few months after Bell signed a year’s extension with Warwickshire which would’ve kept him at the club for the 2021 season.
“It’s true when they say you know when the time’s right, and unfortunately, my time is now,” he said in a statement. “While my hunger and enthusiasm for the sport that I love remain as strong as ever, my body simply can’t keep up with the demands of the game to the standard of which I expect of myself,” Bell added.
It’s true when they say you know when the time’s right, and unfortunately, my time is now.
It’s been a pleasure.
Thank you.
🏴🐻 pic.twitter.com/u7Altf9qpT— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) September 5, 2020
Meanwhile, Ian Bell will play for Warwickshire in the final round of the Bob Willis Trophy, starting 6 September and will sign off playing their final T20 Blast fixture. He has scored over 7000 Test runs including 22 centuries and 46 fifties.