By Matt Somerford
Warwickshire have been dealt a blow on the eve of the Royal London One-Day Cup final with confirmation that England batsman Ian Bell has been ruled out.
Bell will miss the Lord’s decider against Durham tomorrow with a broken toe while he has also been laid low with tonsillitis.
The 32-year-old had been undergoing intensive treatment on his toe injury, suffered at Edgbaston before the fourth Royal London one-day international against India earlier this month.
Gutted 2 miss out on what would hav been my 5th @HomeOfCricket Final! Good luck 2 all the lads. Amazing day for players&supporters #youbears
— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) September 19, 2014
Warwickshire revealed today that while Bell was losing his race for fitness, the bout of tonsillitis had meant he would be unable to take his place in any case.
“Ian has been receiving intense treatment on his broken toe for several days, in hope that he could be fit for Lord’s,” Warwickshire director of cricket Dougie Brown said.
“However, he is still several days away from regaining full fitness, and his bout of tonsillitis has made playing on Saturday impossible.
“Whilst we’re disappointed for Ian and it’s unfortunate to lose a player of his ability, we have put in some strong performances in limited-overs cricket this season, claiming our first NatWest T20 Blast title and progressing to the Royal London One-Day Cup final on Saturday.
“We’re all very excited about the challenge ahead.”
Bell hit a century to guide the Bears to their previous Lord’s final success four years ago against Somerset– an innings that helped to win back his place in England’s one-day international team.
The right-hander, who has not featured during this season's One-Day Cup due to his England commitments, also helped the Bears win the NatWest T20 Blast on Finals Day last month.
Bell said: “I’m gutted to miss out on a Lord’s final and the opportunity to play in a second domestic final. However, injuries are part of the game.
“I would like to wish Dougie, (captain) Varun (Chopra) and the team the very best of luck for the final and I hope all of the travelling Bears supporters have a great day out at Lord’s; I’ll be watching avidly at home. Come on you Bears.”
Durham will be without all-rounder John Hastings, who is their leading wicket-taker in the competition, while his overseas replacement Varun Aaron is ineligible.
Hastings was recalled by his Indian Premier League franchise, Chennai Super Kings, for the ongoing Champions League T20.
Popular 38-year-old all-rounder Gareth Breese is set to play his final game with the club he first joined in 2004 but Graeme Onions - who was also a part of the Durham's 2007 success - misses out due to an abdominal injury.
Durham's shortage of bowling options has meant Ireland seamer Peter Chase has been selected in the 14-man squad and, after impressing in three LV= County Championship matches since signing with the club, the 20-year-old could make his first appearance in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
Royal London One-Day Cup final facts
*Durham and Warwickshire have won five matches apiece of their last 10 List A meetings. Durham have won three of the last four, including this year’s group stage clash at Gosforth.
*All of the last five and nine of the last 11 List A matches between these teams have been won by the team that batted second.
*This is Warwickshire’s 18th domestic List A final. They have won eight and lost nine of their previous 17 Lord’s finals. Durham won their only previous domestic final, in 2007.
*Durham have won their last five completed Royal London One Day Cup matches. They last won six consecutive completed List A games in 2007, when they went on to win the Friends Provident Trophy.
*Durham have won their last two completed List A games at other venues, after losing the preceding five.
*Of players with at least 10 wickets in Royal London One Day Cup 2014, Paul Collingwood (3.99) and Rikki Clarke (4.07) have the lowest economy rates.
*Clarke’s dot ball percentage of 66% in Royal London One Day Cup 2014 is the highest of anyone to deliver at least 10 overs.
*Warwickshire’s Boyd Rankin’s economy rate of 3.92 in Royal London One Day Cup 2014 is the lowest of anyone to deliver at least 10 overs.
*Durham have hit 257 boundary fours in this year’s competition, 34 more than any other team. Warwickshire have hit 174 fours, the ninth most. Durham have hit 32 sixes, Warwickshire 18.
*Jonathan Trott has scored centuries in each of his last three List A innings against Durham – in 2007, 2010 and this season.