Not the end for 'world class' batsman Ian Bell, says Stuart Broad

Bell was dropped from the England squad for a four-match Test series against South Africa.

New Delhi: Stuart Broad on Friday said that Ian Bell will not see being dropped from England's Test squad for the tour of South Africa as the end of his international career.

In a report in BBC, the Nottinghamshire pace bowler hailed Bell as a "world class" player who would bounce back.

"He will be very determined to work hard and get back in. We know in cricket that opportunities do arise and, although he is not in this Test tour to South Africa, he won't see that as the end of his career," the 29-year-old was qouted as saying.

Bell, who has not scored a century in 23 innings, was dropped from the England squad for a four-match Test series against South Africa.

Broad further said, "He [Bell] will be working hard after a bit of a break to improve, put runs on the board and get back in this England side... You can be one injury away from getting your spot back and he will work on his game. I am sure he won't rest. He will be very focused."

The 33-year-old Warwickshire player batsman has played 118 Tests, scoring 7727 runs with the help of 22 centuries at an average of 49.46. Since making his Test debut in August 2004 against West Indies, Bell has established himself as one of the mainstay of England batting.

Bell's dropping from the England squad has alreay sparked few eyebrows, including those of Kevin Pietersen. The former England batsman labelled the decision "pathetic".

While, Bell himself said he is "absolutely gutted" to miss out, but "determined" to win his place back.