By Mark Butcher Test batsman

FACTFILE Right-handed batsman; medium-pace bowler Born: 11/4/82 Test debut: v West Indies, The Oval 2004 ODI debut: v Zimbabwe, Harare 2005 Averages: 2005 Ashes

Bell is a young player who spent a bit of time at the academy and he has a very, very good temperament for scoring runs.

And in the last couple of seasons he's scored heaps and heaps in county cricket.

He's very good technically, doesn't seem fazed by the big occasion and has a very big future ahead of him.

He was on the cusp of England selection a few years back, but didn't make it and had a couple of quiet years for Warwickshire after that.

I think that served him well and taught him a few lessons, and if he didn't go through that he might not be the player he is now.

Players need to have ups and downs to look back on so they can learn about their game. Bell's had the chance to do that.

Averages - 2005 Ashes

Batting
Matches 4 Innings 8 Not out 0
Runs 171 Highest score 65 Average 21.37

Bowling
Overs 7 Maidens 2
Runs 20 Wickets 0 Average --.--