Cricket: Big Bell ton sends message

By Terry Maddaford

HAMILTON - Matthew Bell yesterday sent an emphatic message to those keen to banish him to the test cricket wilderness ahead of the series with South Africa.

Bell, the incumbent test opener and a few days short of his 22nd birthday, shrugged off injury and illness concerns to score a stylish 178 not out for Wellington on the first day of their Shell Trophy match against Northern Districts.

He batted throughout the day in a marathon 393-minute stay which gave him much-needed time in the middle as Wellington reached 319 for two.

"It was an honest day's work," said Bell, modestly reflecting on his second-highest first class score and the second occasion on which he had batted for a whole day.

The highest was in his final Trophy match last season when he scored 216 against Auckland and the other days spent in the middle in South Africa with 105 not out for the New Zealand Academy.

New Zealand selection panel convener Ross Dykes was quick to praise Bell's effort.

"That's the kind of innings we have been asking players to produce," he said.

When Bell got out of bed yesterday morning, he had real concerns about his fitness and wondered whether he would be able to play against his old Northern team-mates after rolling an ankle at training on Wednesday afternoon.

With the injury strapped and with words of advice from former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe influencing his thinking, Bell strode to the wicket.

"It was rewarding to do so well," said Bell. "I've struggled for the past month.

I'm still not over the bug I picked up in Kuala Lumpur but an innings like that obviously makes you feel better.

"The Northern boys were at me all day but the pitch was pretty placid. We went out there keen to bat them into submission after winning the toss.

"It has been hard to come back after the disappointment of the tests against India but I have become more mentally aware of my faults and have worked on getting into the right frame of mind.

"Today's innings has helped build up my confidence to the extent I would be confident facing the South Africans," Bell said. "There were a few mental lapses but in terms of building my confidence it was huge."

Bell survived a couple of appeals for catches at the wicket and a spilled catch by Scott Styris on 60.

But he was in command as he stroked 31 fours and a six and joined captain Jason Wells in a record second-wicket partnership of 215 (in 255 minutes) against Northern before Wells was bowled by Daryl Tuffey for 89 just before the end of the day's play.
Pictured: Matthew Bell.