England have dropped five-time Ashes-winner Ian Bell for the tour of South Africa but insist he can still battle his way back into their future Test plans.
Bell, 33, was a surprise omission from a 16-man list announced on Thursday morning to travel south next month to take on the world number one Test team.
In his absence, Gary Ballance and Nick Compton return and appear set to vie for the number three position Bell has vacated.
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England’s selectors have also been busy working out their bowling permutations and have included uncapped left-armer Mark Footitt, Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan to contend for the role of third seamer.
Steven Finn and Mark Wood, who is set to have surgery on his chronic ankle impingement next week, are both unavailable because of injury – although it is possible the former may yet travel at a later date.
England also sprang a surprise by leaving out leg-spinner Adil Rashid. He will go to Australia instead to play in the 20-over Big Bash competition – almost certainly with Adelaide Strikers where he would renew acquaintance with his Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie.
National selector James Whitaker explained the decision to drop Bell was a very difficult one, and was at pains to add this is not necessarily an end of the international career for a player with 22 centuries in his 118 Tests but who openly considered retirement after last summer’s Ashes series victory.
Whitaker said: “Ian Bell has been an outstanding player for many years and undoubtedly still has plenty to offer England in the future.
“It was clearly a difficult decision. But he has struggled for runs in recent series, and we felt it was the right time for him to take a break and spend time working on his game out of the spotlight.”
Is it really all over for Ian Bell? One Test run behind Mike Atherton. I thought he’d be retained, Bayliss hinted as much, didn’t he?
— Huw Turbervill (@huwzat) November 19, 2015
Bell, whose last Test hundred came in Antigua eight months ago and has since managed just four 50s in 23 attempts, has not been granted the chance to return to Durban – venue for the first match of four against South Africa – where he hit a memorable 140 in England’s innings victory there on their last tour six years ago.
He responded to his omission by confirming on Twitter that he is determined to regain his place.
Bell wrote: “I’m absolutely gutted not to be selected for the tour to SA. I certainly feel I could have contributed out there & have been working tirelessly 2 get into the best possible condition for the tour.
“I’m going 2 enjoy a winter break with my family for the 1st time in 11yrs, and come back determined to win my place back.
“Wishing all the guys selected the best of luck.”
Whitaker added: “The inclusion of Nick Compton and Gary Ballance – alongside Alex Hales, Joe Root and James Taylor – gives Trevor Bayliss and Alastair Cook plenty of options in the top order.”
Coach Bayliss and captain Cook will face more tight calls once the tour is under way.
Could @Ian_Bell England career be over? Here is a look at some of his more happier times playing for his country. pic.twitter.com/jrgiTwDgPI
— PA Sport (@pasport) November 19, 2015
But one variable they will no longer need to consider is where Rashid might fit into their plans on this particular trip.
The leg-spinner has had a decidedly mixed maiden tour, the series defeat against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates – where he did, however, record a five-wicket haul on debut and then add a first Test 50 in his second match.
Whitaker said: “Adil Rashid showed plenty of promise in the UAE, but the conditions in South Africa make the likelihood of playing two spinners extremely remote.
“Although he would have been selected as a back-up spinner, we feel there is an excellent opportunity for him to spend some time developing his white-ball skills in the lead-up to the ICC World T20 in March.
“It is likely that Adil will travel to Australia to play for a Big Bash franchise.”
England will therefore rely on off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali – and the recalled Samit Patel as probable back-up – against South Africa.
Compton and Ballance have another opportunity, meanwhile – having been dropped, respectively, back in 2013 and then mid-Ashes last summer.
Alex Hales will almost certainly make his Test debut in Durban as Cook’s eighth opening partner – including Compton at one stage – since Andrew Strauss’ retirement three years ago.
Whitaker acknowledged the significant task facing Cook’s squad, against the world’s best team.
He said: “Playing the number one-ranked Test side in the world in their home conditions will be a really exciting challenge for this squad, and one I’m sure these players will relish.”
