Bell considered for Asia Tests: reports

Veteran Test batsman Ian Bell could be in line for a Test recall as England prepare for a gruelling trip to the subcontinent next month.

The Guardian UK is reporting Bell met with England head coach Trevor Bayliss last Tuesday about whether the 34-year-old still had the desire to play Test cricket.

Bell was dropped following England’s 2-0 thumping by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in November last year, but with seven Tests (two against Bangladesh, five against India) crammed inside nine weeks starting in late October, the right-hander’s experience on the subcontinent could be a vital asset in a misfiring middle order.

Bell has played 24 Tests in Asia and boasts centuries in both Bangladesh and India and was part of England’s drought-breaking win in India in 2012.

While the veteran’s county form hasn’t been spectacular in 2016 – 520 runs at 37.14 with one century for Warwickshire – his output has been far greater than the newcomers to England’s fragile batting unit. 

James Vince and Gary Ballance each failed to register a Test century this northern winter in England’s 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka and 2-all draw with freshly crowned world No.1 Test team Pakistan.

Vince in particular struggled at the top level, scoring just 221 runs in 11 innings with a top score of 42.

After he was dismissed for a three-ball duck in England’s second innings at The Oval this month, Vince was slammed by former England captain and BBC commentator Geoffrey Boycott, who called for an end to the 25-year-old’s Test career.

"Vince's shot was unbelievable," Boycott told BBC. "He's playing for his career because he's had these tiny cameos of 20 and 30 (and) we're all saying 'can't you bat any longer?'. And what does he do?

" ... It was the most stupidest shot you could imagine.

"For me, that's the end of his Test match career. You can't carry on like that."

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While Bell could be playing the five-day format again next month, he’s also been linked with KFC Big Bash League club Perth Scorchers for the upcoming summer.

The elegant stroke player was the leading run-scorer for his T20 side Birmingham Bears this summer, amassing 489 runs and five half-centuries.

If was Bell was to be recalled to the England Test outfit he’d become unavailable for the Scorchers’ first match of the BBL|06 season on December 23.

Fellow Englishman David Willey will be at The Furnace for a second campaign after he re-signed for another year on Sunday.

The first of England’s two Tests against Bangladesh starts on November 20 in Chittagong.