<p>Former England batsman Ian Bell will retire from senior professional cricket at the end of the 2020 domestic season, the five-times Ashes winner announced Saturday.</p>.<p>The 38-year-old last played for England in 2015, but has been a regular for Warwickshire -- the only county he has represented during his career -- since then.</p>.<p>Bell, however, missed the whole of the 2019 season through injury, and has struggled this term with a top score of 28 across all formats.</p>.<p>"It's true when they say you know when the time's right, and unfortunately, my time is now," said Bell in a statement.</p>.<p>"While my hunger and enthusiasm for the sport that I love remain as strong as ever, my body simply can't keep up with the demands of the game to the standard of which I expect of myself."</p>.<p>Bell was a member of the celebrated England side that regained the Ashes in 2005 and helped them win the urn against arch-rivals Australia on four further occasions.</p>.<p>One of the most stylish batsmen of his generation, Bell scored 7,727 runs in 118 Tests, including 22 hundreds, at a fine average of 42.69.</p>.<p>He also appeared in 161 one-day internationals and eight T20 internationals.</p>.<p>Bell's first-class career has yielded 20,300 runs at 43.46, with 57 hundreds.</p>.<p>"It's been an absolute privilege and honour to fulfil my boyhood dream of playing for both England and Warwickshire," said Bell.</p>.<p>"As a child, to play just once for either would have been enough for me, but to do so for the past 22 years is more than I could have ever wished for," he added.</p>.<p>"To have spent my entire career and won trophies with my boyhood club is something both myself and my family are enormously proud of.</p>.<p>"To everyone associated with the club; the staff, players, fans and anyone I've worked with during this time: thank you."</p>
<p>Former England batsman Ian Bell will retire from senior professional cricket at the end of the 2020 domestic season, the five-times Ashes winner announced Saturday.</p>.<p>The 38-year-old last played for England in 2015, but has been a regular for Warwickshire -- the only county he has represented during his career -- since then.</p>.<p>Bell, however, missed the whole of the 2019 season through injury, and has struggled this term with a top score of 28 across all formats.</p>.<p>"It's true when they say you know when the time's right, and unfortunately, my time is now," said Bell in a statement.</p>.<p>"While my hunger and enthusiasm for the sport that I love remain as strong as ever, my body simply can't keep up with the demands of the game to the standard of which I expect of myself."</p>.<p>Bell was a member of the celebrated England side that regained the Ashes in 2005 and helped them win the urn against arch-rivals Australia on four further occasions.</p>.<p>One of the most stylish batsmen of his generation, Bell scored 7,727 runs in 118 Tests, including 22 hundreds, at a fine average of 42.69.</p>.<p>He also appeared in 161 one-day internationals and eight T20 internationals.</p>.<p>Bell's first-class career has yielded 20,300 runs at 43.46, with 57 hundreds.</p>.<p>"It's been an absolute privilege and honour to fulfil my boyhood dream of playing for both England and Warwickshire," said Bell.</p>.<p>"As a child, to play just once for either would have been enough for me, but to do so for the past 22 years is more than I could have ever wished for," he added.</p>.<p>"To have spent my entire career and won trophies with my boyhood club is something both myself and my family are enormously proud of.</p>.<p>"To everyone associated with the club; the staff, players, fans and anyone I've worked with during this time: thank you."</p>