Batting power fires Warwickshire

Frizzell County Championship D1, Edgbaston
Glamorgan 198 v Warwickshire 415-4 (day two, stumps)

Match scorecard

Bell was within touching distance of his 12th ton when falling

Warwickshire established a handy lead over Glamorgan on day two at Edgbaston on the back of fine knocks from Mike Powell, Ian Bell and Dougie Brown.

Powell struck an unbeaten 144, while Bell fell four runs short of his century, as the reigning champions closed on 415-4, 217 runs ahead.

The fourth-wicket pair added 153 before Bell was trapped lbw by Robert Croft.

Powell, who hit 18 boundaries, then put on a further 152 unbroken runs with Dougie Brown, who ended the day on 85.

"With the quality in our batting department you have to take your chance and when I didn't start last year I had to do something about it," said Powell.

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"I played a few good innings last season which made me realise I was moving in the right direction and today felt as good as any I have played."

Powell also backed Bell to become an England regular after winning his sole Test cap so far last summer.

"His technique is getting better, he is very composed at the crease and people forget he is still so young.

"Someone like Graham Thorpe played his best cricket in his late 20s and early 30s so Ian has got plenty of time.

"There are all kinds of focus on him but if he keeps racking up hundreds like he did last season it will not be long before he is in that Test side, whether he starts in it this summer or not," Powell commented.