After England's poor batting show at Ageas Bowl Twitterati wants Ian Bell to be back

After some thorough dominance in the first two Tests, the England team was pushed on the back foot in the third Test against India. The hosts also seem to be struggling at the moment in the ongoing fourth Test. The English batting lineup has come under severe scrutiny for their performances in the last Test. It has only worsened on the first day of the ongoing Test match. Hence, there are already demands to bring Ian Bell back into the Test XI.

Bell has been in great touch in the ongoing county season. At the end of the league stages and the quarterfinals, the 36-year-old ended as the second highest run-getter in the T20 Blast. He has scored 580 runs in 14 games at an average close to 50 and is only behind Aaron Finch. In the County Championship Division Two games, the right-hand batsman has amassed 667 runs in 16 innings at an average of over 50.

Bell the man in form

Also, Bell was an integral part of the England side the last two times India toured England. He scored 297 runs in 7 innings against them in 2014 and played an important role in helping his side make a memorable comeback. But, he lost touch in 2015 or so and was axed from the Test side. He last played for England in 2015 against Pakistan.

The selectors have been ignoring Bell despite scoring a ton of runs. However, now since the England middle-order seems to be struggling, they might have to rethink their strategies. No one except Jonny Bairstow has contributed in the middle order and he has also been quite inconsistent. Jos Buttler has scored most of his runs in just one or two innings. Ollie Pope and David Malan have also failed to deliver for the team.

Hence, there is a strong case to bring back the experienced batsman in the England line-up. At this point in time, Bell would fit in perfectly. Twitterati is of the same opinion after witnessing the collapse in the first innings of the fourth Test, they are now demanding for Ian Bell to be brought back into the XI.

Here is what the Twitterati is thinking:

Baffles me how Ian bell isn’t playing for this England side, such quality..

— Liam Williams (@LiamWilliams29) August 30, 2018

England should recall Ian Bell. I'm not sure Bairstow is a number 4 #ENGvIND

— Dwain Trollip (@dwain_trollip) August 30, 2018

Ian Bell gets a ton while people like Jennings are in the England team. Bell is different class, get him back regardless of age. #EngvsInd

— Jezz Frost (@frosty371) August 30, 2018

England's scorecard currently reads 35 less runs than Ian Bell's 121* for Warks… Say no more #bbccricket

— Laurence Bowyer (@laurence_bowyer) August 30, 2018

@BumbleCricket @SkyCricket One for the debate, England are chopping and changing, which is no benefit to anyone. With youngsters and this transitional period, surely an experienced and more importantly in-form head like Ian Bell would be more than useful!

— Daniel Quick (@thedanielquick) August 30, 2018

The state of England's batting no more summed up by the fact Ian Bell is now actually a viable option.

— Nick (@nwall89) August 30, 2018

End this absolute debauchery now and get Ian Bell in for the 5th test for a 1 off to save the series. #bbccricket

— #CCS (@StevronConnor92) August 30, 2018

@BumbleCricket On Sky Sports mentioning 'social media' calling for an @Ian_Bell return… Yes there is.

— Ian Bell Back in the Test Team (@IanBell4england) August 30, 2018

@SkyCricket @BumbleCricket Ian Bell is a great shout. He’s in great form! Wasn’t Chris Rodgers 36 when he was brought back into the @CricketAust team?!

— Liam ∆ (@liamjp4) August 30, 2018

Whilst England collapse like a warm Easter egg to 86-6, Ian Bell churns out a ton for Warwickshire. Meanwhile, Keaton Jennings couldn’t open a tin of baked beans #getrid #bbccricket @bbctms @IanBell4england

— Tom Jones (@Tom_jones9) August 30, 2018

Yorkshire lost half a squad and lots of unrest I think. England just a complete batting shambles. No idea how they fix it without bringing back KP and Ian Bell!

— James McNair (@jamesmcnair79) August 30, 2018

England six down middle of the day in the Test – meanwhile in Wales a certain Ian Bell is 120-odd not out..

— Shane MacDermott (@_ShaneMacD) August 30, 2018

Ian Bell for England? 🤔

— Harv (@conorharvey99) August 30, 2018

#TMS bring back IAN BELL another ton today means it’s a no brainer and no brains sums up this latest debacle

— setay (@smallheathan) August 30, 2018

Looking forward to an Ian Bell daddy hundred to win the fifth test and take the series for England…

— James Crossland (@Crossybebs) August 30, 2018

Bring back @KP24 #ENGvIND

Ian Bell still piling runs also …

— Ben Beech (@BenBeech22) August 30, 2018