Bell takes root at Warwickshire

Ian Bell cuts handsomely in one of four championship tons for Warwickshire last year, against Somerset at Taunton

England batsman Ian Bell has signed a two-year contract extension with Warwickshire, keeping him at Edgbaston until the end of the 2012 season.

Bell, 27, from Coventry, made his first-class debut for the county in 1999, and has stayed with them ever since.

One of England’s finest batsmen on the recent tour to South Africa, Bell encountered few problems scoring runs when he returned to his county last season, scoring 986 runs in 13 LV= County Championship Division One matches, including four centuries.

Bell said: “I have been a Bear since I was a boy and I have no desire to play anywhere else. Warwickshire is my cricketing home and I love playing at Edgbaston and with the bear on my chest.

“I think the future of the club is hugely exciting under Ashley (Giles, Warwickshire director of cricket) and I hope to be able to make a significant contribution to the success I believe we can achieve under him over the next few years.”

Giles said: “We are delighted to have Ian committed to the lub for a lengthy period, he is a quality player and is a Bear through and through.

“His experience of both domestic and international cricket make him a great role model for the younger members of the squad and a great asset to (captain) Ian Westwood when he is available to play for us in the summer.”

Bell has scored 16 of his 28 first-class centuries to date for Warwickshire.