Bell admits being 'naive' over run out mix-up

England century-maker Ian Bell admitted he had been “naive” after a bizarre mix-up still ended with him leading his side into a commanding position against India in the second Test.

England, in their second innings, were 441 for six at the close of the third day at Trent Bridge on Sunday, giving them a lead of 374 runs.

Bell made a superb 159, but only after being run out when on 137 off the last ball before tea.

Having completed three runs with Eoin Morgan following a misfield by Praveen Kumar, he sprinted off the field believing the ball had gone for four and was consequently ‘dead’.

In fact it was still ‘live' and, after calling in the third umpire, the on-field officials gave a stunned Bell out.

England coach Andy Flower and captain Andrew Strauss went to the visitors’ dressing room at tea to ask India, whose coach is ex-England supremo Duncan Fletcher, if they wanted the appeal to stand.

And minutes later India withdrew their appeal.

Umpires Marais Erasmus of South Africa and Pakistan’s Asad Rauf emerged after tea to boos from spectators, unaware the decision had been reversed, as did India before the jeers became cheers when Bell resumed his innings.

Although Bell made only 22 more runs following the reversal of a decision which was quite correct, he added an additional 69 with Morgan in what turned out to be a fourth wicket partnership of 104.

Bell’s eventual 159 included 24 fours and was made in nearly five-and-a-half hours at the crease.

He was finally out when his cut off part-time left-arm spinner Yuvraj Singh was caught by Venkatsai Laxman at slip.

“I was a bit naive to automatically walk off and assume the ball had gone for four,” Bell admitted after stumps. “I think the right thing’s happened for the spirit of the game.

He added: “Morgan hit it off his legs and we thought it was probably four, with the way the fielder reacted after he got up.

“I put my bat down after the third and it looked like we were just meandering off for tea.

“I had to wait and the decision was made, (then) the captains and coaches met to see if the decision was going to stand or if they wanted to change it.

“I was in the back room trying to figure out what had happened and whether I was going back into the middle. The umpires had walked out, there were a few of us with pads on and the message got passed on to me.”

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