Bell lauds Strauss effort
Ian Bell paid tribute to batting partner Andrew Strauss, who hit his first century in 31 Test innings to put England in total control of the decisive third Test in Napier.
Strauss’ disappointing form had seen him come in for increasing criticism but he hit an unbeaten 173 as the tourists closed 501 runs ahead on 416 for five.
Bell, whose 110 was his first century in 23 Test innings, shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 187 with Strauss as England built a formidable total on day three at McClean Park.
And Bell was full of praise for his team-mate as the long hours of training paid off in style for both of them.
“Andrew has worked as hard as anyone to get there and for all the hard times he has been through, it’s great to have him back in the side and hopefully we can move forward and develop these hundreds as we have in the past,” said Bell.
“The team have definitely rallied round him. A good thing about this team is that everyone is in it together. We’ve turned up here at one-all and we only want to win it for each other.
England's Strauss cuts during his epic innings of 173 not out “It’s nice to prove some of the critics wrong. Certainly for the whole squad things hadn’t been going so well despite all the work we’d put in and it paid off.
“It’s why Straussy and everyone who got to 50 or 100 pointed their bat to the dressing room because we know how much hard work has put in by everyone to get here.”
Strauss and Bell’s respective lean spells with the bat had prompted calls for changes to England’s batting line-up but the selectors’ decision to stick by the top six paid off in spectacular fashion.
England must decide whether to continue batting in the morning with two days remaining to force a series victory.
“It was also great to repay the faith in us as a batting unit by the selectors. Things have been talked about, but every time I look at our side I see a top six that all average over 40 and on paper that looks quite intimidating to an opposition.
“It’s nice that they’ve stuck with us and shown the faith in us that the players have earned over the years, but it was a big relief for us all at the same time.”
Ian Bell is greeted by Andrew Strauss after reaching his century © Getty Images
