Cricket: No wholesale changes but Ian Bell pays price for slump
Murray believes an elusive Grand Slam title is now within his reach
Following their 3-0 Test series loss to Pakistan they have to regroup for four one-day internationals and three Twenty20s against the same opponents.
The limited-overs captains are Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad, rather than Test leader Andrew Strauss, and other changes in personnel include a sabbatical for the out-of-form Ian Bell.
Flower yesterday made it clear that 29-year-old Bell, one of the pillars of England’s Ashes success and their surge to the top of the Test rankings, faces a significant examination of his talent and determination to resume his ODI career after 108 caps to date.
He also confirmed that, in a 15-man ODI squad named yesterday, Kevin Pietersen – who like Bell endured a miserable run of scores against Pakistan’s spinners – will open the batting.
Flower must raise spirits and improve technique, but a sudden raft of changes appears unlikely.
“You don’t always succeed, and when that is the case it can create some doubts,” Flower said. “But the best players come through those moments of doubt and come out with a stronger package. Of course, there is a cut-off line where it would be stupid to continue along the same path if it’s not being successful. In the main, I don’t think we’re there with this group of players.
“This is not a closed shop, everyone’s aware of that, but this group of batsmen have done an outstanding job for England.
“It was quite strange and surprising to find so many of our batsmen low on confidence during this tour,” added Flower. “But we can do something about that and are working hard to do so.”
For Pietersen, Flower says a return to the top of the order may be advantageous. “He is going to be opening the batting and that should be really exciting.”
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