11 May 2009

England add Bell and Sidebottom to squad

7:33 am on 11 May 2009

England's cricket selectors have added batsman Ian Bell and left-arm pace bowler Ryan Sidebottom to their squad as they named a 13-man party for the second Test against the West Indies starting on on Thursday in Durham.

Bell and Sidebottom were the only additions to the team that thrashed the West Indies by 10 wickets at Lord's on Saturday.

Monty Panesar was omitted from this latest squad after fellow spinner Graeme Swann produced a man-of-the-match display at Lord's.

Bell was dropped after England's Test defeat against the West Indies in Jamaica three months ago.

And he lost out on the No. 3 position at Lord's to Ravi Bopara, who made a Test-best 143.

However, Bell has been in fine early season form for Warwickshire and offers England an extra batting option ahead of the final match of a two-Test series.