Ian Bell has announced his desire to retire from professional cricket at the end of the ongoing season. The 38-year-old, who debuted for England in 2004, has played in 118 Tests, 161 ODIs and 8 T20Is.

“It’s true when they say you know when the time’s right, and unfortunately, my time is now,” he said in a statement. “While my hunger and enthusiasm for the sport that 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 of myself.”

Bell has been part of five Ashes-winning sides and has over 7,000 Test runs – including 22 centuries and 46 fifties, to his name. He last featured for England in 2015, but has been an integral part of Warwickshire in county cricket. This decision, interestingly, comes just a few months after Bell signed a year’s extension with Warwickshire which would’ve kept him at the club for the 2021 season.

Warwickshire’s sport director Paul Farbrace paid a rich tribute to Bell, who emerged up through the system at the same club. Bell will be the third Warwickshire player to retire at the end of this season – along with Tim Ambrose and Jeetan Patel.

“Ian will retire from the game as a true Bears legend,” Farbrace said. “He’s come through our development system and academy, won every trophy possible, and he has broken club batting records.

“During his 12-year international career, he was also a fantastic ambassador for Warwickshire CCC who scored runs all over the world and was firmly established as one of the world’s best batsmen.”

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