Ian Bell walks off the WACA unbeaten after day two of the Tour match. Source: Getty Images
ENGLAND'S Ian Bell showed he will once again be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming Ashes series after continuing his fine form with the bat against a WA Chairman's XI in Perth.
Bell took full advantage of a lifeless second-day track at the WACA Ground to finish the day unbeaten on 77 in what is shaping as a fine individual tune-up ahead of the First Test at the Gabba beginning November 21.
He found a willing partner in Jonathan Trott, who became the ninth batsman to pass the half-century mark in the match en route to an unbeaten 64 at stumps.
The pair batted the entire final session and have put on 133 for the third wicket.
Bell dominated the Ashes series in England earlier this year, scoring 562 runs at an average of 62.44 to help seal a 3-0 triumph.
The 31-year-old was at it again today, taking full advantage of a WA attack missing injured seamer Burt Cockley to make an early statement of intent on tour.
Bell crafted 11 fours and smashed two crisp sixes straight down the ground to put him within striking range of a well-deserved ton.
England opener Joe Root holds the unfortunate distinction of being the only player dismissed for less than 50 through the opening two days of the match, trapped in front by medium-pacer Jim Allenby for 36.
Reserve batsman Michael Carberry appeared to be on his way to securing a century before steering a short and wide ball to Allenby at backward point on 78 to gift young all-rounder Ashton Turner his maiden first-class wicket.
Cockley was sent for precautionary scans on his left knee after breaking down midway through his third over, while WA keeper Tom Triffitt was also in the wars, spending two stints off the field for after wearing a rearing ball from Michael Beer that required six stitches below his right eye.
The tourists are likely to have another stint in the field later tomorrow after failing to find much joy with the ball in the opening 90 minutes this morning as the WA side declared at 5-451.
Chris Tremlett (0-88) was unable to find a breakthrough for the second straight day, but his replacement from the Lillee Marsh end, Steve Finn, had immediate success.
England paceman James Anderson gets airbrone against the Western Australia Chairman's XI at the WACA Ground Source: Getty Images
Finn struck with just his third ball of the morning, trapping Allenby LBW for 53.
Finn could have had another soon after as a pull shot from Triffitt flew just wide of the deep square leg fielder, but the worst miss of the morning was yet to come.
Acting England skipper Matt Prior fluffed his lines when attempting to catch a skied hook from Triffitt, dropping the chance shortly before the declaration.
Both Turner (62 not out) and Allenby (53) impressed with the bat for the home side.
Follow Chris Robinson on Twitter: @CJKRobinson
England – First Innings
ROOT lbw b Allenby 36
CARBERRY c Allenby b Turner 78
TROTT not out 64
BELL not out 77
Extras 15
TOTAL 2-270
FOW: 100 (Root), 137 (Carberry).
BOWLING: Cockley 2.3-0-7-0; Duffield 17-2-70-0; Dixon 11.3-1-70-0; Beer 19-4-55-0; Allenby 14-4-33-1; Turner 6-0-34-1.
WACA Chairman's XI – First Innings
TOWERS c Prior b Root 77
HARRIS c Bell b Anderson 69
LYNN c Carberry b Rankin 104
M MARSH c Prior b Stokes 58
ALLENBY lbw b Finn 53
TURNER not out 62
TRIFFITT not out 18
Extras 10
TOTAL 5-451 (dec)
FOW: 115 (Harris), 225 (Towers), 288 (Lynn), 326 (Marsh), 405 (Allenby).
BOWLING: Anderson 23-9-55-1; Tremlett 21-5-88-0; Rankin 20-1-92-1; Finn 23-0-123-1; Root 11-2-32-1; Stokes 10-0-56-1.
01 Nov, 2013
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/ian-bell-puts-in-an-ominous-display-against-a-waca-chairmans-xi-in-perth/story-e6frfkp9-1226751596361?from=public_rss
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