The England and Warwickshire batsman will make his final appearances in the next week but recent injuries have forced his decision
Former England batsman Ian Bell has confirmed his retirement from professional cricket at the end of the 2020 domestic season.
The 38-year-old will play in Warwickshire's Bob Willis Trophy match against Glamorgan before taking his final bow in the T20 Blast for Birmingham Bears.
Bell played 118 Tests, 161 one-day internationals, and eight T20s for England, and was part of five Ashes-winning sides.
He was part of the team led by Andrew Strauss which stormed to world No.1 in 2011. He struck 26 centuries and 81 fifties across all formats for his country.
A one-club man at Warwickshire, he collected two County Championship titles, a One-Day Cup and the T20 Blast across 21 years at Edgbaston.
It’s true when they say you know when the time’s right, and unfortunately, my time is now.
— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) September 5, 2020
It’s been a pleasure.
Thank you.
🏴🐻 pic.twitter.com/u7Altf9qpT
Toe and knee injuries forced Bell to miss much of the 2019 season and though he had signed on beyond this truncated campaign he has opted to call time on his career ahead of schedule.
"It’s true when they say you know when the time’s right, and unfortunately, my time is now," he said. "While my hunger and enthusiasm for the sport that I love remain as strong as ever, my body simply can’t keep up with the demands of the game to the standard of which I expect of myself.
“To have spent my entire career and won trophies with my boyhood club is something both myself and my family are enormously proud of. To everyone associated with the club; the staff, players, fans and anyone I’ve worked with during this time: thank you.
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Posted by David Rimmer on 09/09/2020 at 16:07
Very sad news but as fans we do not see the complete picture. After his bad injury last year and the current restricted Covid-19 season it is not altogether surprising although he had signed a contract extension until the end of the 2021 season. Bell's lack of form was a key factor but I am glad he got runs in his last game at Glamorgan and in testing conditions. A ton would have been nice but I am glad he did not go out with a low score. Looking at the game on the live stream demonstrated he still has the basics. It is sad that he could not go out with a nice crowd reception but it is not to be. PS I feel he was England's best short leg in the era of covered wickets when the ball flew off the wicket quicker but a fielder had head protection. It is a different skill to when people fielded there on uncovered wickets without helmets.
Posted by Mr Lloyd Birch on 06/09/2020 at 12:23
Technically, Englands' best batsman for the last twenty years. Always had time to play and made it look easy. A class act. He will be missed by all cricket lovers.
Posted by Jackie Litherland on 05/09/2020 at 19:54
Very sorry to hear that Bell is signing off under the current conditions which did not allow Bell to play himself in after a year of injury out of the game. Due to the lockdown there was another long lay off. Nothing can be done but there is that haunting feeling that Covid has another victim. Depression and anxiety are part and parcel of cricket as well as ups and downs in the game. Bell has always been good at coming back after a spell of misfiring but finally he has called time. He will be missed because he drove himself hard and had very high standards. But his batting was sublime.
Posted by Jackie Litherland on 05/09/2020 at 19:44
Very sorry to hear that Bell is signing off under the current conditions which are very difficult for all cricketers. There is nothing normal about playing cricket amid Covid silence in empty stadiums. And the camaraderie of the crowds is not there to inspire you in difficult times. Not a good start to the season might be haunting Bell but this season did not allow Bell to play himself in after a year of injury out of the game. Due to the lockdown there was another long lay off. Nothing can be done but there is that haunting feeling that Covid has another victim without actually catching the infection. Depression and anxiety are part and parcel of cricket as well as ups and downs in the game. Bell has always been good at coming back after a spell of misfiring but finally he has called time. He will be missed because he drove himself hard and had very high standards. But his batting was sublime.
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