England captain Alastair Cook has claimed that Ian Bell's Test career is not over, but that the batsman will benefit from the break.
Bell was left out of the Test squad for England's upcoming tour of South Africa following an inconsistent spell.
Despite the axe, Cook is confident that the 33-year-old, who has played 118 Tests for his country with averages of 42.69, will fight his way back into the fold.
"It was a really tough call for the selectors and obviously your thoughts are with Belly," Sky Sports News quotes Cook as saying. "You never want to miss out on any tour. At the end of the day, it is about runs on the board. I don't think Belly has quite scored the number of runs he would have liked over the last year or so.
"I think this is a real good challenge for him. He has been a constant in the England side, or the England A side, or the Under-19s. He probably has not stopped touring for 12 or 13 years, so a real good break, I think, will do him the world of good.
"He is a seriously good player and I think a bit of time away from the side will do him the world of good. I haven't managed to get hold of him yet but there is definitely a way back."
England's first Test against the Proteas will begin in Durham on Boxing Day.
