Since the end of the World Cup Bell has averaged 20.92 in test cricket from his last 13 innings. That average includes the 143 he made in the first innings against West Indies at North Sound. Take that knock out and he has averaged 10.75 from his last 12 hits which includes five scores of 1 and two ducks. His last 53 innings (which goes back to the New Zealand series in New Zealand early in 2013), he has scored 1728 runs at 34.56.
I have to say the figures above are pretty ordinary, particularly his last three and a bit months of test cricket. Bell may have done a fair bit for English cricket and he may have some points in the bank but to average little over 20 (and then scale that back to under 11 after removing that century against the Windies) simply isn't good enough. At 33 and in poor form you would have to think he may get a tap on the shoulder if things don't improve rather quickly.
Not picking KP is England's fault and gifting games to Lyth and Ballance when there's at least one top class batsman not getting a game leaves them purely at fault. They have at least stuck to their guns though and not relented. They obviously have standards both attitude and behavioural wise that they will not be compromised on. I, like you agree that not picking him has left their team worse off however.
