Ian Bell Backs Alastair Cook to Come Good in Upcoming County Championship

by arya chakrabortyApril 10, 2018April 6, 2019

Out of favour English batsman, Ian Bell has backed under-performing batsman Alastair Cook to come good in the county championship.

The championship is scheduled to be played in a month’s time. Bell further added there wasn’t a better opening batsman in his (Cook’s) place, especially in Tests. Cook had a horrific winter barring a double century against the Aussies at Melbourne.

The southpaw scored 399 runs in 13 innings, 244 of which came during the exceptional knock against the Aussies at MCG. The innings had helped him reestablish himself in the English top order.

Earlier, he had recovered from a dip in form. He played 153 Tests in succession out of 154. His former teammate, Ian Bell feels Cook has it in him to replicate his past heroics.

Essex will welcome him for the clash against Hampshire on 27^th April.

“Alastair Cook is world class, and he will be hurting,” Bell was quoted as saying by the Cricketer. “He’s been a champion runscorer for a long time, one of the best I’ve played with – mentally in particular. That’s what he has to draw on now, his mental strength, and I’d probably put him in the category of being the best player I’ve played with.”

“Sometimes tough times can give you an edge. You come through them a stronger, better character. When you come back from tours, looking ahead to a Test series, banging out Championship runs is the best thing around. You go into a Test match series in good form. With the Dukes ball and in English conditions it’s always going to be difficult but getting early runs gives you confidence, and I’ve got no doubt Alastair will go back to Essex and work hard.

“The one thing you know about Alastair is he’s going to work hard. He works as hard as anyone in the game. Yes, as a batsman you fail, but I don’t think it’s through lack of effort or lack of preparation.”

“Everything you read suggests Alastair is desperate to score more runs, which is good. The reality at the minute, when you look around county cricket, there isn’t anyone better than him,” Bell said. You just hope we can get him into some good form for the summer and he can put the winter behind him.”