ECB praises India team for withdrawal of appeal against Bell

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The England Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday thanked the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Indian cricket team for withdrawing the appeal against Ian Bell on the third day of the second Test.

After Dhoni, who, in keeping with the spirit of the game, withdrew his appeal, Bell was allowed to bat on in the second Test at Trent Bridge after initially being controversially run out.

"The withdrawal of a valid appeal at the tea interval was made in the spirit of cricket by the India team and demonstrates the true spirit in which the game of cricket should be played and the excellent relationship between the ECB and BCCI," ECB chief executive David Collier said in a statement.

"The npower Test Match Series has produced excellent and exciting cricket. The 2nd npower Test Match will also now be remembered for demonstrating that the spirit and the manner in which the game is played provides a role model for others to follow.”

"On behalf of the ECB I wish to express the England and Wales Cricket Board's grateful thanks the BCCI and the India team," he added.

Bell was batting on 137 when he was given out to the last ball before the tea break.

Eoin Morgan had flicked the ball down to long leg and Praveen Kumar made a diving attempt to stop the ball. The ball bounced off his leg as the fielder fell over the boundary.

Bell, under the impression that tea was scheduled next over, Bell walked towards the dressing room but the ball was returned and the bails removed with the Indians appealing for a run-out.

After a long discussion between umpires Marais Erasmus, Asad Rauf and the third umpire, Bell was declared run out.

But Dhoni withdrew the appeal and Bell reappeared after tea to resume his partnership with Morgan.