Former captains back Bell's omission

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Ian Bell's Test cricket career may be over, after the batsman was overlooked for England's tour of South Africa next month. 

The 33-year-old Bell, England's third-most capped player (118 Tests) and eighth-highest run-scorer (7727 runs at 42.69), was left out of the 16-man squad, while Gary Ballance and Nick Compton were recalled. 

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen savaged the decision to drop Bell, labelling his omission "pathetic", but Vaughan says England's inconsistency in 2015 warrants change. 

Quick Single: Pietersen's fury over Bell axing 

"It is very hard to envisage England picking Ian Bell again," Vaughan wrote in The Telegraph newspaper. 

"England won the Ashes last summer and we have a habit when that happens of thinking everything is rosy. Ashes wins should not be allowed to blur the real picture. England have lost six Test matches in 2015. That is a lot. We have had an inconsistent year. 

"To drop such an experienced player for a tour to South Africa, the best team in the world at the moment, sends a pretty strong message that you think his career is over."

Bell made just 158 runs in six innings as England lost the recent three-Test series against Pakistan 2-0 in the United Arab Emirates. 

Vaughan wondered if the impact of new players such as 25-year-old James Taylor have brought the decision on whether to retain Bell to a head for coach Trevor Bayliss.  

"Bayliss, the new coach, has taken six months to look at the team and he obviously feels Bell is not half the player he expected him to be," Vaughan wrote. 

"Bayliss has also seen the way James Taylor has grabbed his chance, showing real energy and enthusiasm, and the coach has probably wondered if there are more guys like him out there desperate for their chance. There comes a time when enough is enough and you have to bring a new batch of players through the system."

Quick Single: Compton, Ballance back in favour

In eight Tests since Bayliss took over at the helm of the England team, Bell averaged 28.69 before his axing. 

His omission means England's squad has just one batsman – captain Alastair Cook – who has previously played Test cricket in South Africa. 

Another former England skipper, Nasser Hussain, said dropping Bell was a "massive call", but feels it was the correct decision. 

In The Daily Mail, Hussain wrote: "You have to make sure you get a decision like that right because all the quality, effort and service of someone like Bell has to be considered, but I think England have got it right to go to South Africa without him." 

England fast bowler Stuart Broad, who is part of the touring squad, feels Bell's career at the top level isn't over. 

Speaking to the BBC, Broad backed Bell's work ethic to pave the way for a recall. 

"He will be very determined to work hard and get back in," Broad said. 

"He will be working hard after a bit of a break to improve, put runs on the board and get back in this England side.

"You can be one injury away from getting your spot back and he will work on his game. I am sure he won't rest. He will be very focused."