Warwickshire County Cricket Club has secured the long-term future of Club Captain Ian Bell, who has signed a three-year contract extension to commit to the Bears until at least the end of the 2020 season.
Bell (34) is the most capped international cricketer in Warwickshire’s history, having made his Test match debut for England against the West Indies in 2004 and subsequently winning 118 Test matches, 161 One-Day Internationals and eight International T20 caps.
Warwickshire is the only county that I’ve ever wanted to play for and I’m thrilled to sign this new long-term contract to remain a proud Bear and help the team to push for even more silverware.
Ian Bell
He is one of only three English cricketers to have won five Ashes series and has won six domestic trophies to date with Warwickshire, including captaining Bears to glory in the Royal London One-Day Cup last summer in his first season as skipper.
Ashley Giles, Sport Director at Warwickshire CCC, said: “Ian is a true Bear who has been with Warwickshire since the age of 10 and has gone on to be one of the most decorated players in the club’s history.
“He continues to be one of the leading batsmen in the country across all three formats and, as our captain, he sets exceptionally high standards for the rest of the squad.
“With several young cricketers having recently graduated from the academy to senior ranks, Ian is the perfect leader for them to follow. We’re delighted that he has signed this new long-term contract and will continue to be a proud Bear for many years to come.”
Bell has now scored 18,533 runs in First Class cricket – including 51 centuries – and spent last winter playing in Big Bash in Australia, where he helped Perth Scorchers to a third title.
Ian Bell, said: “Warwickshire is the only county that I’ve ever wanted to play for and I’m thrilled to sign this new long-term contract to remain a proud Bear and help the team to push for even more silverware.
“The club has played a huge role in my career and it’s a great honour to now captain the team and help our young, talented players fulfil their potential here at Edgbaston.”
Warwickshire start the Specsavers County Championship 2017 season away to Surrey at the Kia Oval on Friday 7 April before returning to Edgbaston a week later for the first home game.
