Three times ashes winner Bell joins the club for 2018 as a Warwickshire CCC contracted player and brings a huge amount of experience and stature, to a club already on the up. K&D enjoyed a fantastic 2017 league season.

Bell - an England international for over 10 years - played 118 tests, scoring twenty-two Test centuries, totalling over 7000 runs (averaging 42) and four ODI 100s (averaging 37). In 2015, he became the second player since Ian Botham to be involved in 5 Ashes series wins.

Bell, as a product of the Warwickshire CCC youth system, has amassed over 292 first class games since 1998, scoring over 19,000 first-class runs (averaging over 43) including 52 hundreds. Bell also captained Warwickshire’s to their successful 2016 Royal London Trophy victory versus Surrey at Lords.

Ian explained his decision to join the club;
“I am really looking forward to joining he Birmingham league champions for the 2018 season as their Warwickshire professional. K&D has the best setup in the Midlands from juniors all the way up to the 1st team. It will be a real privilege for play for K&D.”

K&D 1st XI captain Sam Reddish commented on the signing of Ian;
“I am over the moon to have someone of Ian’s ability and vast professional experience for this season. His wealth of international experience, playing at the highest level, shall no doubt be priceless for us. I just can’t wait to get the season started and to defend our league title.”

David Smith, K&D Cricket Chairman explained Bell’s role at the club;
“Ian’s character and drive will complement our already strong squad and help to support our exciting junior talent - as they come into the first XI squad. We are always working harder to recruit fresh talent to this club and we continue to do so.”

“Ian brings a huge presence to the club and will assist with the development of our wider senior playing squad throughout the season.”

Ian Maddocks, K&D Club Chairman summarised;
“Ian is a huge signing and shows where we are going as a club. Ian is a huge believer in club cricket and it is fantastic for the club to have him on board.”

K&D’s 2018 season preparations are beginning in earnest with adult winter nets beginning on Tuesday 16th January, at Alderbrook School from 7.30pm - 9.00pm.

For more information on joining Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club’s adult teams, contact:
David Smith, Cricket Chairman
Tel: 07886 689 941/ Email: davo909@talk21.com

About Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club
Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club was formed in 1896 and are one of the foremost cricket clubs in the Midlands. The club is situated between the ‘villages’ of Knowle and Dorridge on Station Road, Dorridge, Solihull, West Midlands, and the second ground is situated on Lugtrout Lane, Solihull.

The club currently run 4 teams on Saturdays and 1 team on Sundays. We have one of the strongest junior sections in the area, in 2018 we will be running junior teams at under U9s to U19s levels.

The club has a strong community presence, with the club being open all year round and is open to new and existing members.

Contact
www.facebook.com/knowleanddorridgecc
www.twitter.com/The_Shire_
https://www.instagram.com/knowledorridgecc
knowledorridgecc@gmail.com