In the five games of this edition of the Ashes, Bell scored only 215 runs at an average of 26.87, with three fifties to his name.
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“Even in this series, after the hiding they got at Lord’s, to come back as they did in the next match proves they are able to learn from their mistakes”, he said.
“He’s an absolutely wonderful player; a class player”.
“I think everyone is pretty exhausted as well”.
“I just think wickets with a bit in it for everyone – seam, runs, and spin at the end – for the fans, long term, that is what they are looking for”. What you say in an interview now might not be what you really believe deep down. “I’ll take stock over the next few weeks”.
Bell, 33, has a young family to consider and could take the opportunity to not only bow out at the top but step down to take the captaincy of Warwickshire – something he has previously stated he wants to do.
The result summed up an inconsistent summer for England – the hosts also suffered a heavy loss at Lord’s – meaning questions still remain over the make-up of the team ahead of the trip to the UAE to face Pakistan and the winter tour of South Africa. Alex Hales is would be the other option.
“We would love to be sitting here at 4-1 rather than 3-2 and it is a little disappointing but I’m not going to worry about it too much tonight to be brutally honest”.
Joe Root and retiring Chris Rogers were adjudged as the Man of the Series of their respective teams.
Before their successive victories in the midlands, England had this year established an unprecedented statistical inconsistency by following their previous three wins with defeats.
Michael Clarke left the stage with a some observations about the pitches prepared during this series, leaving no one in any doubt he was not happy with the surfaces.
“At the start of a series, the goal is to win a minimum three matches – so we’ve done that, and done it with some very good play“. We have a lot of fast bowling depth, spinners and batters I’m not so sure about.
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“I think winning away from home for every Test country is the big thing now That’s the challenge for the world game because there’s a huge advantage playing at home”, said Lehmann.
