Ian Bell promoted at right time for England, says Jonathan Trott
Wednesday 22 July 2015 21:45, UK
Jonathan Trott has backed England's decision to move Ian Bell up the batting order for the third Investec Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
Bell's promotion to No 3 – in response to the 405-run drubbing against Australia in the second Test at Lord's – sees him replace the dropped Gary Ballance as part of a reshuffle that also means Joe Root shifts up one spot, with Jonny Bairstow recalled at No 5.
Bell has been in poor form recently, passing 30 only once in his last 12 Test innings, but Trott, who made the majority of his 3,835 Test runs at No 3, believes the timing of the move is perfect for his Warwickshire team-mate.
"He's a fantastic player and coming back to his home ground at Edgbaston, the whole crowd will be right behind him and he will be working really hard," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"He's playing for the Bears on Saturday in a one-day game trying to get some form and putting in a lot of effort trying to get himself ready for the next Test.
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"It's a nice position to bat at times, when you come in and the ball is slightly older it can go your way, but certainly when the ball is new and swinging around like we've seen the Australian bowlers do, it is very difficult.
"When you're not feeling in the best of form, it can be a tough spot, but there's lots of runs to be had there and I think Ian moving up is a great decision. It's really unfortunate for Gary, he's a really good player, hopefully we'll see him sooner rather than later back in an England shirt."
Bairstow hasn't played Test cricket for England since the Ashes whitewash 18 months ago – he averages just 26.95 from his 14 appearances – but returns to the international scene with an average of more than 100 in first-class cricket this season.
Trott has had first-hand experience of the Yorkshire man's renaissance and is confident he can take that form into the third Test.
"He's had a taste of international cricket. He's done his time, he's come away and I think he's improved a hell of a lot as a cricketer," added Trott.
"He played against us for Yorkshire and scored a magnificent hundred. Yorkshire only got just over 200 and he got a hundred himself. He looked in great form.
"Going into a Test match, and especially coming back into the side, you need a lot of confidence, you need to be in good form and he's certainly got that, so I wish him all the best.
"Edgbaston has been a really successful ground for England. It's always got a good atmosphere. We saw in 2005 the close Test match we had here and it turned the series around for England – hopefully history can repeat itself next week."
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