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I’ve backed Ian Bell from an early stage of his career, so I’m probably biased, but I can’t escape the fact that no player’s success gives me greater pleasure. Partly, it’s the aesthetics: is there a more silky operator in world cricket? It’s hard to look beyond that cover-drive. Partly, it’s the journey. Accused of dealing exclusively in soft runs, Bell responded superbly in South Africa. Hell, he even became England’s most reliable performer until that sickening metatarsal mishap. I’ll be cheering him on in Australia this winter. And crossing my fingers.

Lawrence Booth writes the Daily Mail's Top Spin cricket blog and much else beside. Subscribe to The Top Spin here.