bell overconfident england cricketers must refocus
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today
Egypt Today, egypt today
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today

Bell: Over-confident England cricketers must refocus

Egypt Today, egypt today

Egypt Today, egypt today Bell: Over-confident England cricketers must refocus

London - AFP

England batsman Ian Bell admits his side have paid the price for resting on their laurels after reaching the top of the Test world rankings. Andrew Strauss's team must beat South Africa in the third and final Test at Lord's next week to retain the number one spot and Bell believes they will have only themselves to blame if the Proteas move above them. England have produced two lacklustre displays against South Africa so far to fall 1-0 down in the series and that is symptomatic of their recent inconsistency. Bell is concerned that Strauss's side have lost five of their 10 Tests since replacing India as number one and he wants them to show renewed hunger in the third Test. "We were so hungry to get to number one and that feeling of chasing number one is something that drove us really hard," Bell said. "It's been a bit different being the team being chased by the other teams, a bit like the position India were in last year. "Andy Flower (team director) was keen to remind us that the hard work was only just starting when we got to number one. "It's like getting your first Test cap. You think you've made it but there is such a huge journey after that. "Getting to number one was just part of it. We wanted as a group to stay there as long as possible. "But we haven't performed. Over the last 12 months we haven't really been in the form of the last three years so it's put us under pressure to stay there. "We have got to learn from these lessons if we want to keep being number one or if we want to get back there if we lose the spot." Bell admits South Africa's knack of taking early wickets and ability to bat for long periods has given them the edge so far in the series. But the Warwickshire player believes there were encouraging signs at Headingley and that South Africa will be conscious of England's ability to retrieve the current situation. "Things just started to turn at the end of the Headingley Test and hopefully we can take that momentum into Lord's," Bell said. "We have always believed we can beat any team - certainly in England. We know we can beat South Africa. I think they fully know and respect the fact that we can beat them. "The three series I have played against South Africa have been really tough and really close and I don't expect this Test match to be any different."

egypttoday
egypttoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

bell overconfident england cricketers must refocus bell overconfident england cricketers must refocus



GMT 11:12 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

What to do about Federer

GMT 09:12 2018 Friday ,19 January

Time for talks on players' welfare

GMT 10:22 2018 Tuesday ,09 January

US runner-up snubbed for Olympics

GMT 13:23 2018 Wednesday ,03 January

Won't sell unless replacements bought in

GMT 17:23 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Abdel Razaq happy for his return

GMT 06:59 2017 Thursday ,09 November

Algerian footballer aspire to meet expectations

GMT 06:56 2017 Thursday ,09 November

Ismaily’s official underlines efforts to improve team

GMT 08:05 2017 Wednesday ,20 September

Tariq says his team is ready for match

GMT 12:50 2011 Saturday ,09 July

Injured Malaysian opposition leader in hospital

GMT 08:34 2014 Thursday ,06 February

Afghan police kill 1 militant, detain 2

GMT 19:06 2011 Tuesday ,02 August

Danone snaps up nutrition business of Wockhardt

GMT 13:13 2012 Friday ,23 March

Classic cars: BMW 507

GMT 14:54 2016 Thursday ,22 December

Cambodia attracts investment projects worth $1.88b

GMT 11:47 2012 Tuesday ,21 February

Lamborghini aventador beats Igloo every time

GMT 19:14 2011 Friday ,28 October

Barley Patch

GMT 17:18 2017 Wednesday ,15 February

Egyptian TV host Lubna Assal optimistic about future
 
 Egypt Today Facebook,egypt today facebook  Egypt Today Twitter,egypt today twitter Egypt Today Rss,egypt today rss  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
egypttoday, Egypttoday, Egypttoday