Veteran England batsman Ian Bell To Retire From Professional Cricket After 2020 Season

Ian Bell retires: The stylish batsman was England's leading run-scorer for England with 5416 runs until he was replaced by current skipper Eion Morgan in 2018.

Photo: ecb.co.uk

England national cricket team's former batsman Ian Bell on Saturday announced retirement from professional cricket at the end of 2020 summer. The veteran missed the entire 2019 season due to injury and struggled to score runs in 2020 with a top score of 28 in all formats. Bell last played for his national team in the year 2015 but he has been a regular in the County circuit playing for Warwickshire.  ALSO WATCH | MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings Finally Start Practice In UAE

The 38-year-old took to Twitter to make the announcement. However, his decision was quite a surprise for everyone as just two months back he has signed a deal with the club.  Bell made his debut for England in 2004 and retires after having a successful career that spanned for 11 years.

The prolific run-scorer was exceptional in One-Day-International cricket and enjoyed great success. The stylish batsman was England's leading run-scorer for England with 5416 runs until he was replaced by current skipper Eion Morgan in 2018.

"It's with enormous sadness, but with equal pride, that I am announcing my retirement from professional cricket. Tomorrow will be my final red ball game and next week I'll play my final T20 match," Bell said in a statement that he released on his social media handles.

It’s true when they say you know when the time’s right, and unfortunately, my time is now. It’s been a pleasure. Thank you. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🐻 pic.twitter.com/u7Altf9qpT

— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) September 5, 2020

"While my hunger and enthusiasm for the sport I love remain as strong as ever, my body simply can't keep up with the demands of the game to the standard of which I expect from myself," he said.

"It's been an absolute privilege and honour to fulfil my boyhood dream of playing for both England and Warwickshire. As a child, to play just once for either would have been enough for me, but to do so for the past 22 years is more than I could have ever wished for.

"To have been part of an England Test team to reach number one in the world, to win five Ashes Series, one of which as Player of the Series, and an away Series in India is some return for a young lad who simply dreamt of batting at Edgbaston.

"I would also like to thank the overseas Franchises I had the privilege of playing for too: Perth Scorchers, Islamabad United and Dhaka Dynamites. Winning The Big Bash with the Scorchers was one of the highlights of my career, while the friends and experiences I had of playing in the PSL and BPL will stay with me forever."