Derbyshire Falcons host Birmingham Bears in the Vitality Blast on Friday and we take a look at one-to-watch, former England batsman Ian Bell.
The Bears arrive at The 3aaa County Ground to face a Falcons side which will be looking to continue recent momentum in a push for a Vitality Blast quarter-final spot.
An ever-present in the side at Edgbaston across all forms, Bell is a powerful opener in Twenty20 cricket and a foil for the explosive Ed Pollock at the top of the order.
The 36-year-old is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance summer, with 1,220 runs across all forms at the start of August.
He helped the Bears to the Vitality Blast final last summer, where they lost to Notts Outlaws, and he has continued his fine form in the Blast into this summer. With 329 runs at an average of 66 and a strike rate of 153, he’s been the most prolific batsman for the Bears, and the tournament’s second highest run-scorer.
Bell’s maiden Twenty20 century came earlier this summer when he hit 131 in the Bears’ dramatic tie with Northants Steelbacks. His fine innings came off just 62 balls, with 11 fours, seven sixes and a strike rate of 211.29.
In total, he has played in 96 T20 matches, hitting 2,444 runs at an average of 30.55, with 15 half-centuries.
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons are back at home on Friday 3 August against Birmingham Bears. Purchase your tickets in advance and save from £4. Buy online or call 01332 388 101.
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