London: Former England middle-order batsman, Ian Ronald Bell has announced that he will retire from cricket at the end of the season. “It’s true when they say you know when the time’s right, and unfortunately, my time is now,” Bell wrote on Twitter, “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.”
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
Bell made his cricket debut in 1999 as a 17-year-old for Warwickshire County Cricket Club. The 38-year-old made his England debut in 2004 and is considered as England’s one of the classiest batsmen of his generation, with 7,727 runs in 118 Test matches and 5,416 in 161 ODIs. He last played for England in 2015. However, the announcement he made was quite of a surprise as Bell signed a year’s extension with Warwickshire which would’ve kept him at the club for the 2021 season.
Warwickshire’s sports director Paul Farbrace paid a rich tribute to Bell. “Ian will retire from the game as a true Bears legend,” Farbrace said. “He’s come through our development system and academy, won every trophy possible, and he has broken club batting records.
“During his 12-year international career, he was also a fantastic ambassador for Warwickshire CCC who scored runs all over the world and was firmly established as one of the world’s best batsmen.”
Bell will be the third Warwickshire player to retire at the end of this season. Previously Tim Ambrose and Jeetan Patel announced retirement.
