Bell deserves his place - Giles

Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles has said it surprises him how often pundits question whether Ian Bell deserves his England place.

Giles told BBC WM: "It does a bit because he is a quality player, He's got a good record.

"I guess he comes up in conversation because he gets in a lot, and he knows that at times he gets the 40s, 50s and 60s and doesn't go on.

"I'm sure that'll come for him because he is very, very good."

Bell was released by England to play in Warwickshire's last Championship fixture, against Gloucestershire, and scored a magnificent 215, which Giles says shows he is in prime form ready to face the South Africans in the Test series.

"[Steve] Kirby bowled well at him and I think that was a good test but time in the middle and confidence is what he needs.

"There's been a lot of talk about his form and other people's form in that England team but he showed here what a quality player he is."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
England and Wales Cricket Board
Your say on 606
Cricket South Africa
Scorecards on Mobiles
Download our cricket masks
Five Live Cricket
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites