Warwickshire grant Bell benefit

Ian Bell, who played a central role in Warwickshire's CB40 triumph, has been associated with the club since his teens

Ian Bell has been awarded a benefit by Warwickshire next year.

The 28-year-old progressed through the youth ranks to make his first-class debut for the county in 1999. He has since gone on to score more than 6,600 runs in 98 first-class matches, including 17 centuries.

Bell missed a large chunk of the season due to England commitments and a broken foot sustained on international duty, but returned to score a century in Warwickshire’s final LV= County Championship match and another in their Clydesdale Bank 40 final triumph over Somerset at Lord’s, when he captained the side.

Warwickshire did not award a benefit this year because of the economic climate, Tony Frost having been the beneficiary in 2009.

Bell, who has played 57 Tests and 83 one-day internationals, is part of the England squad that will fly to Australia on Friday to begin their Ashes defence.