Bell Ringed for One-day Call

Two years after he was hailed as an England batting prodigy, Ian Bell may launch his international career today with a place in England's one-day squad for the NatWest series against New Zealand and the West Indies, which starts under the Old Trafford lights on Thursday week.

Bell's county form has been a key component in Warwickshire's unexpected rise to the top of the championship, but it is as a middle-order manipulator in one-day cricket, much in the mould of Graham Thorpe, that he could earn an England initiation.

Bell's unbeaten 262 against Sussex at Horsham, and a cultured hundred against Middlesex at Lord's, have suggested a career on an upturn. A developing interest in bowling - his medium pace returned an unlikely four for four against Middlesex - will also not have passed unnoticed by selectors eager for as many bowling options as possible.

England's one-day performances in the Caribbean, in a 2-2 series, fostered the suspicion that the side was overstocked with all-rounders, with generally only three specialist batsmen in Michael Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss.

Bell's inclusion would help to offset that, although there has also been serious consideration of Glamorgan's Michael Powell, a bold top-order strokemaker, who would promise more early impetus and allow Strauss to fulfil a Thorpe-style role lower down.

Vaughan may have retreated to No4 in the Test side but England's captain is expected to retain his role as a one-day opener where his strength as a cutter and puller lets him take advantage of the early fielding restrictions.

Rikki Clarke's progress has been slow. His batting is occasionally ill-judged and his medium pace vulnerable, particularly so now that he is restricted by a nagging leg injury which has limited his bowling for Surrey this season. His mastery of the wicket-taking long hop will not sustain him for ever.

But it is Yorkshire's Anthony McGrath who has endured the real frustration, an inactive winter giving him no chance to add to his 10 caps. The time has come for England to make a judgment. A decision is also due on that stout-hearted servant Darren Gough, and it should bring an end to his one-day career.

James Kirtley might also be judged an unwise selection with the furore over bowling actions growing ever louder.