Ian Bell confirms retirement at end of 2020 season

The England and Warwickshire batsman will make his final appearances in the next week but recent injuries have forced his decision

• Birmingham Bears ready to make up for disappointing 2019

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.
It’s been a pleasure.
Thank you.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🐻 pic.twitter.com/u7Altf9qpT

— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) September 5, 2020

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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