Warwickshire built a rock-solid foundation round the sumptuous batting skills of Ian Bell on the second day of their championship match against Somerset.
The spectators at Taunton, real enthusiasts this early in the year, are sure to watch plenty of cricket this season. But it is doubtful that any of them will see a finer innings than the 172 which Bell draped like a tapestry of vibrant colours over four sessions of this fixture.
His batting was a joy to watch. That much was evident from the warmth of the ovation afforded him by home and away supporters alike when, to widespread surprise, he got out after 432 minutes of artistry.
Even then, Somerset were fortunate to get him. Ben Phillips sent a ball down the leg side and Bell glanced just fine enough for wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter to clutch the ball far to his left.
The batsman looked distraught, clearly unsated. “It was good to bat so long without giving a chance,” he later admitted. “But I was disappointed not to go on and get 200.” Plenty in the crowd were also disappointed. Bell had struck 25 fours, most of them little impeccably-timed jewels in themselves.
In these days when top-class cricketers are too often kept remote from county cricket it was a reminder of how big a loss they are to it (arguably to little or no benefit to the national team).
Fuelled by Bell’s masterpiece, Warwickshire reached 500 for the first time against Somerset, though much hard works remains ahead if it is to be part of a victory.
Somerset’s reply, in the final session, coincided with the first bright sunshine of the game and much the best batting conditions. Marcus Trescothick and Arul Suppiah were little troubled in adding 70 in 20 overs.
Warwickshire’s 500 was a fine recovery from an unpromising 66 for three. Bell and Jim Troughton turned the contest with a partnership of 154 in 42 overs.
The travelling Bears fans fully appreciated the input of Troughton. The left-hander went in with his team in need and provided exactly the ballast required. Concentrating hard and curtailing his more flamboyant drives, Troughton struck 77 from 134 balls and 11 fours. By the time he edged to third slip, with Bell in total control, Somerset were ruing the absence of Andy Caddick, due to a bad back, and perhaps their decision to omit former Bears seamer Alfonso Thomas.
Tim Ambrose settled in to accumulate steadily. Rikki Clarke edged his second ball, an almost unplayable lifter from Mark Turner, then former Bears 2nd XI spinner Omari Banks turned one past Ambrose to bowl the captain for 57 from 115 balls with six fours.
Neil Carter swatted his second ball for six on the way to a rather industrial 21. Ant Botha, batting low due to his elbow injury, delayed Somerset for half an hour. Finally Chris Woakes showed proper batting skills in a championship-best 63 (94 balls, seven fours, one six) in a last-wicket stand of 67 with Jimmy Anyon.
But someone will have to bowl exceptionally well for Warwickshire to force victory here.
n The second day of Warwickshire 2nd XI’s friendly with Gloucestershire was washed out by rain.
