In an age when players are increasingly road-tested in one-day internationals rather than earmarked for Test cricket at an early age, Bell is a product of the more traditional system.

True, he has played more ODIs than Tests but that is purely a result of poor timing – for the first time in 20 years England have a strong enough batting line-up that up-and-coming candidates have to show patience.

In time it is surely inevitable that Bell will become a regular in the England middle order and, having captained the `A' team in Sri Lanka in the winter, possibly the lynchpin of the entire team.

It has been long understood first in the Midlands and then nationwide that Warwickshire and England have something special in the diminutive right-hander with a range of shots to satisfy the most stringent purist.

The outstanding characteristic of his play is being a natural cricketer - he fields with enthusiasm and skill while also belying his diminutive stature to offer a bowling alternative with varied medium pace.

Despite this talent progress has not been seamless and he was not helped when the news of his reaching the England Under-19 team two years ahead of schedule was overshadowed by Mike Gatting's declaration that Bell was the best prospect he had ever seen at that age group.

Bell has done his best to meet those expectations but inevitably suffered a barren spell, struggling to show his excellence for the Bears in 2002 and 2003.

Yet even during those troubled times he managed to make a name for himself with a wonderfully-judged 65 not out to clinch the 2002 B & H Cup against Essex at Lord's and a dazzling return to form saw him back in contention for Test honours last summer.

Fortune did not favour Bell ahead of the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's - it took an injury to displace Mark Butcher and Rob Key was chosen as a replacement, the Kent batsman cementing his position for the summer with a double century.

An injury to Graham Thorpe opened the door for a debut at The Oval in the final Test and Bell did his best to make an impact, compiling a confident 70 in his first and only innings in a 10-wicket victory.

Bell was the odd man out in the winter despite that knock, leading the second string to Sri Lanka while his three rivals made the full squad.

If anything, his stock has risen despite that disappointment with none of the trio strengthening their case for inclusion during modest tours of South Africa.

His status was given a further boost by a strong start to the county season, culminating in selection for two Tests versus Bangladesh against whom he could not have done more.

The arrival of Kevin Pietersen complicates matters but the two should be viewed as long-term partners rather than rivals in England's middle order.

Certainly that appears to be the selectors' long-term strategy with Bell deservedly usurping his rivals at the start of the summer to establish himself as the natural heir to Thorpe in England's middle order.