Rotation policy right for England, says Bell

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Rotation policy right for England, says Bell

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There's a heavy schedule coming up, said Ian Bell.

21 June,2012 10:25 am

Ian Bell has backed Englands policy of rotating their bowlers in a bid to combat the draining effects of a gruelling international schedule.With the one-day series against the West Indies already won with a match to spare, Englands selectors have opted to rest three of their leading bowlers, Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann, for Fridays final fixture at Headingley.It is not the first time this year that England coach Andy Flower has taken precautions to avoid his squad suffering from burnout.Broad and James Anderson missed the last Test against the Windies at Edgbaston earlier this month after the series was wrapped up.Lancashire pace bowler Anderson wasnt completely happy to be forced out of action.But England batsman Bell is convinced his side must continue tinkering with their line-up to ensure the likes of Broad, Bresnan and Swann -- the only three remaining English regulars for Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20 -- are fresh heading into the forthcoming limited overs matches against Australia and the Test series against South Africa.Theres a heavy schedule coming up. We need to look after these guys, said Bell, who has scored a century and a half-century in Englands last two victories over the Windies.Theres this big series against Australia coming up, and South Africa after that.The key to our success in one-day cricket is having five out-and-out world-class bowlers.So if we want to beat the Australians, we want these guys fit and fresh and ready to go.For the three guys who play in all three forms of the game its going to be crucial.Young pace bowler Stuart Meaker, all-rounder Chris Woakes and spinner James Tredwell have been called up to the squad in place of those who will be sidelined at Headingley.And Bell claims the chance to give big-match experience to Englands understudies is just as important as resting the established stars.Its a good option to let them have a bit of a breather and it gives an opportunity to the likes of Meaker, Woakes and Tredwell, Bell said.When I played for the Lions, Meaker is genuinely fast - so it will be exciting to see him have a go.Looking down the line, at World Cups and Champions Trophies, its great to give these guys an opportunity and gain more experience.It has slightly weakened our attack, but I still think it is a team that can go out and beat West Indies.Theres no doubt people want to come to see the Broads, Andersons and Bresnans.But they will be seeing young, exciting guys who will be big players for England over the next few years.However, Bell, whose one-day career has been revived thanks to Kevin Pietersens exit, has no desire to rest and has told the selectors he would prefer to play on as he tries to cement his place.For me, the more I play the more I learn, he said. Going into the Pakistan series, wed had two or three months off and I felt Id lost my rhythm completely.Its out of my control if Andy was to give me a game off. But personally if Im out in the middle scoring runs, I want to stay scoring runs.