Ashes 2013-14 - Top batsmen

England’s famous win in Australia when they last toured could have been called Alistair Cook’s Ashes but this was definitely Ian Bell’s summer and the Warwickshireman can lead England’s batting line-up with aplomb once again down under this winter.

One upon a time Ian Bell had an reputation for being far more frail than the ice cool fortress of vigilance and technique – he was once so nervous that Shane Warne gave him the cruel nickname ‘the Sherminator - American Pie’s geeky red headed virgin – with a shot selection that cracked at the first sign of pressure and many maddening lapses of form not doing much to dispel that reputation. Having looked back to his best after a stunning period from 2009-2011 where he scored more than 2,000 runs, he averaged 32 in nearly 20 tests and scored less than 1,000 runs, but a superb and gritty 75 against New Zealand in Auckland was one of many stoic efforts to dig England out of tight situations and he seemed to be the only person of either side to string innings from start to finish.

 

With 562 runs over the five tests, Bell made three centuries, averaged 62, and finished the series 144 runs clear of Shane Watson, who made 176 at the Oval when the series had already been decided.; No other player made 400.

Preparation for the series has been a worrying point for many England supporters but Bell’s made 183 and 115 in two recent innings since touching down in Australia and comes into the series with no major concerns over his ability to perform. Alistair Cook’s injury problems of earlier (when he sustained bruising to his arm and had back trouble) seem behind him and to his credit he does have a wonderful record overseas, but he had his worst recent series in the summer and continued struggled against the new ball, Johnathan Trott seems caught in two states of mind as to how to bat based on his quietest summer in England colours, the same questions apply to Matt Prior, Kevin Pietersen seems sure to score big at least on but does the nagging worry of his knee trouble despite good warmup form (and even then he was 178 runs behind in total) and Michael Carberry is essentially a test debutant still.

Joe Root, whose Lord’s century went a long way towards sealing the series for England, is a fascinating contender down to number 6 and tempting at 8/1 as an each/way shot. On the fast and hard pitches, he’ll avoid the worst of the new ball and back to the position that he originally occupied in the England squad he may have more fluency, having looked unsuited by opening the batting on many an occasion. With England’s batting having been far superior to Australia’s on the last two occasions, they make appeal in the top series batsman market as well at the same prices.

Advice:

1 pt Ian Bell top series runscorer (7/1 Paddy Power)

1 pt Ian Bell top England runscorer (9/2 general)

1 pt each/way Joe Root top England runscorer (8/1 Ladbrokes)