Ian Bell happy to end tough year with Durban century
After hitting 141, Bell was in on the act again with a sharp catch
England's Ian Bell was thrilled to end a tough year on a high as his ninth Test ton, and first since mid-2008, set up a victory chance in the second Test.
Bell hit 141 in England's 575-9 declared and took a sharp catch as South Africa crashed to 76-6.
He told BBC Sport: "It's been a difficult 12 months, in and out of the side, but Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss have backed me all the way.
"I'm delighted to come through and repay some of their faith in me."
A dismal failure in the first Test in Centurion, Bell began the second Test under pressure to perform.
I needed a good innings - Bell
He silenced his doubters with an innings that put the game out of South Africa's reach - and put pressure on their batsmen when they came to try to save the game.
Bell said: "I was very disappointed to miss out in the first game but this time I've given us an opportunity to build scoreboard pressure on South Africa and a chance for our bowlers to put on even more pressure.
"I've tried to be positive and have gone back to what I've done in the past having tried to be a bit too clever.
"It was nice to be here in the morning, taking it through over by over and cashing in later on."
He was predictably fulsome in his praise of Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann after the Nottinghamshire pair each took three wickets, leaving South Africa facing a probable innings defeat.
It's probably the worst day of my cricketing career to be honest with you
Dale Steyn
"Stuart Broad put the ball in the right areas on a very good wicket, something you have to do against the top players in the world, and Swanny is on an absolute roll and full of confidence.
"He's the focus of our dressing room at the moment driving everyone on."
And spinner Swann was equally keen to praise Bell's contribution.
"So happy for my official batting buddy, Ian Bell for sticking two fingers up to the doubters, ala Cooky yesterday," Swann wrote on his Twitter feed.
South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn summed up the opposite camp's feeling as they faced up to a second Test defeat this year in Durban.
"It's probably the worst day of my cricketing career to be honest with you," he said.
"We've lost six wickets and find ourselves in a deep hole and we've got tomorrow to dry and dig ourselves out of it. But cricket's a funny game and let's see what tomorrow brings."
NB: Bell's score was reduced to 140 on 30 December because of a mistake by the umpires.
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