Derbyshire Falcons welcome Birmingham Bears to The 3aaa County Ground on Friday and they will be led by England batsman, Ian Bell.
Bell has been in the England set-up for the last 12 years and has over 100 Test matches to his name, and his Club feel there could be many more to come.
A winner of five Ashes series, Bell’s NatWest T20 Blast career statistics read as a warning to any side in the country, with 1114 runs in 53 matches, and five fifties at an average of nearly 25.
For someone who has achieved so much in cricket, the Bears’ Captain still has his eyes on achieving more. He said earlier this season: “To get a T20 ton is one of my ambitions, absolutely.”
So far this season, Bell is edging towards his goal. With knocks of 11, 35 and 66 so far this season, the Falcons will want to go all out and make sure that maiden T20 century doesn’t come against them.
In three Twenty20 innings this season, Bell has hit 112 runs at an average of 37.33, hitting nine fours and four sixes.
Along with his honours with England, Bell has had his fair share of success at Club level too.
In 2014, Bell and his Birmingham teammates were victorious in the NatWest T20 Blast, beating Surrey and Lancashire Lightning on Finals Day at Edgbaston.
The Bears Captain has also won the One-Day Cup with Warwickshire back in 2010, with Bell helping to secure the win with a century in the final. Bell is also a two-time Specsavers County Championship winner with Warwickshire.
Birmingham Bears official website: “Belly is a phenomenal top order batsman, typically opening for the Birmingham Bears when he’s not away on England duty, Ian’s experience and talent brings a different dimension to the squad when he is available.
“Famous for his ‘easy on the eye’ technique, Ian is without doubt one of the greatest batsmen of his generation, performing consistently at all levels in the game and most impressively in his international career.
“In 2016, Ian was awarded the captaincy of Birmingham Bears, bringing an incredible skill set and knowledge of the professional game. Ian has a knack of performing under immense pressure and will no doubt be leading from the front with the boys in yellow.”
The Falcons face the Bears in the NatWest T20 Blast this Friday 17 June at The 3aaa County Ground and supporters can book their tickets in advance and save 20%.
Birmingham Bears – Fri 17 June – BUY
Notts Outlaws – Fri 24 June – BUY
Northants Steelbacks – Sun 3 July – BUY
Yorkshire Vikings – Sun 10 July – BUY
Lancashire Lightning – Wed 13 July – BUY
Worcestershire Rapids – Fri 22 July – BUY
