Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Ian won't be a Belly flop again - The Sun
The stylish batsman got it badly wrong at the tournament four years ago ? like England overall ? making just one 50 in eight innings.
That flop followed the 5-0 whitewash Ashes tour, in which Bell averaged just 33 and was cruelly dubbed 'The Sherminator' by the Aussies after the geek in the film American Pie.
But having corrected one mistake against Australia with 329 runs at 65 in the recent 3-1 Ashes triumph, Bell is keen to do the same in one-day cricket's main event.
He said: "I played in the World Cup last time and it didn't go to plan. It was a little bit like going and playing in Australia and losing 5-0.
"It was nice to go back and put that right.
"This is another opportunity for the guys who played in the last World Cup to do the same."
Bell admits he and his fellow batsmen must buck their ideas up when the tournament kicks off against the Netherlands in Nagpur on Tuesday.
The Warwickshire star believes they let down their bowling chums in the recent 6-1 one-day reverse Down Under, with only Jonathan Trott consistently converting good starts.
Once that department clicks again, then Bell feels one of England's strengths will return ? applying the squeeze in the field.
He added: "I think with the batting we didn't quite get those big partnerships we needed. People were playing well but we were getting a lot of 20s and 30s. They won't win you many one-dayers.
"But we'll get to our strongest side again soon, in completely different conditions.
"With the bowling attack we have, if we get runs then we have the people to win us games of cricket with the ball. We need to score big runs ? and we'll find a way of doing that.
"If we can do it as a batting unit, we'll have some good success in this World Cup."
Bell was down to start in today's warm-up against Canada in Fatullah, along with reserve fast bowler Chris Tremlett. England sought special dispensation to use the 6ft 8in paceman, despite him not being part of their squad.
Stuart Broad has been hit by a bout of sickness, while Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad are yet to be passed fit with calf and hamstring injuries respectively. Despite Broad's tummy bug, Bell is delighted to see him return to the selection mix after 10 weeks on the sidelines with a torn stomach muscle.
He declared: "We have a few niggles but, hopefully, everyone is coming along in time for the World Cup.
"It is not ideal for us. But we'll get on with it. We knew that was the case coming here.
"Broady's not feeling too good but I'm sure, over the next couple of days, he'll be back on his feet.
"He is as keen as anyone, having missed a fair bit of the winter, to make a real statement in this World Cup.
"We're looking forward to getting him back on the field."
England have been informed by the ICC that Eoin Morgan can return to their squad only if another batsman goes down injured during the tournament.
The Irish-born left-hander was replaced by Ravi Bopara after fracturing a finger, but has since been told it is nearly healed.
a.martin@the-sun.co.ukAgences de presses
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