Ian Bell vented his frustrations on India’s bowlers, but was equally delighted at being able to help debutant Jos Buttler make such a success of his maiden Test innings at the Ageas Bowl.
Bell (167) cashed in impressively as he ended his run of 19 Test innings without a century, sharing stands of 142 with Gary Ballance (156) and then 106 with Buttler (85) to ensure England piled up 569 for seven declared.
After James Anderson then took the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan in India’s 25 for one at stumps on day two of this third Test, England could begin to hope for a series-levelling victory.
For Bell, there were several reasons for satisfaction on an emotional day – he looked skywards, on reaching his hundred, in memory of grandfather William who died earlier this month.
The help he was able to give Buttler, almost caught at slip on nought during a nervy start to his international career, was especially rewarding too for one of England’s most established senior players.
Bell said of Buttler: “He was outstanding. I think he nicked one that didn’t quite carry… and it looked like he was thinking a little bit too much. We spoke after that about playing the way he plays – the natural instinct he has.
“As soon as that happened, he got off with a nice back-foot punch for three – and from then on he looked like the Jos Buttler that we see play county cricket or one-day internationals.”
Buttler was dropped again on 23 at slip, and should have been stumped on 59.
But in an innings which ideally fit the match situation, his nine fours and three sixes off 83 balls were an instant reminder of the limitedovers deeds which have got him into the Test reckoning.
“That’s the kind of player he is, and has to be… see the ball, and hit the ball,” added Bell. “If we get platforms for him to come in, he’s going to come in and move that scoreboard on and get us into matchwinning positions – no doubt.”
Bell’s own return to form was much-needed by England.
“It’s been really frustrating, for all of us,” he said. “I’ve been finding strange ways to get out, getting starts, and not going on.
“As a batting unit, we want to get back to those kind of habits – 560 declared, rather than the bowlers getting us to 450.”
