Bell regains form with double ton

County Championship D2, Edgbaston, day three (close):
Warwickshire 528-8d v Gloucestershire 336 & 36-0
Match scorecard

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Ian Bell played himself back into form with a brilliant double-century as Warwickshire declared on 528-8 against Gloucestershire at Edgbaston.

The 26-year-old England batsman made 215 from 288 balls in setting Gloucestershire a target of 192 to avoid an innings defeat.

Openers Will Porterfield and Kadeer Ali managed to avoid any trouble, reduced the deficit to 152 by making 36-0.

Bell, who hit 32 boundaries, put on 221 with Jonathan Trott (164).

Needing only five runs on the third morning to complete his 22nd first-class, he got to his immediate target in the third over with a cover drive for four and a single to third man off Steve Kirby.

Kirby, with his extra pace and attacking line, was much the biggest threat to Bell's security but once the strike bowler had finished a five-over spell, there was not much to disturb Warwickshire's progress.

Bell did have to negotiate another blast by Kirby before he completed the third double hundred of his career with a clip over midwicket off Jon Lewis.

He then took two more fours off the Gloucestershire captain before a bowling change snapped his concentration.

Hamish Marshall reappeared with his gentle medium pace and Bell lamely planted the first ball into the hands of substitute fielder Vikram Banerjee a few yards in from the cover boundary.

After some indifferent form in the Tests and one-day internationals against New Zealand, it had been a vital spell in the middle for the England batsman.