Warwickshire leave Bell out

Profiles / Editor / 18 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Warwickshire have opted to leave Ian Bell out of their squad for Wednesday's Friends Provident Trophy semi-final against Hampshire.

The news comes as a big surprise after England gave the 25-year-old batsman permission to play as soon as the final Test against the West Indies ended.

However, Warwickshire have decided to overlook him and will stick with the same squad that has helped them through to the last four of the competition.

"I was very keen to play in the semi-final and appreciate the efforts that the ECB and the England team management had made to transport me to Hampshire immediately after the Test Match," a disappointed Bell revealed.

"I'm naturally disappointed not to have been selected."

England have also released Kevin Pietersen and Hampshire have taken the decision to throw him straight back into the squad for the clash.

Hampshire are 1.68 favourites to win the match, with Warwickshire trading at 2.26 to book their place in the final.

Hampshire are also 3.25 favourites to go on and win the competition outright, while Essex are 3.95, Warwickshire 4.1 and Durham 4.2.