The Ashes 2013: 1st Test - 5 key moments of the match

4. Ian Bell’s century

Ian Bell

Ian Bell has promised a lot ever since he made his debut nine years ago in 2004. He is an old-school cricketer who can be the most elegant player to watch when he is on-song, but he has not lived up to the expectations.

His career has been punctuated by some outstanding performances, but not many would have tipped him to score the match-winning innings in the first Ashes Test ahead of the likes of Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson.

His perseverance paid off on the 4th day of the match as he played a couple of shots in the morning session to reach his century, the only one scored in the Test match, as he punched the air with exhilaration.

Watching his family cheering him on from the stands telescopes us out to ponder upon the multitudes of personal battles being fought under the umbrella of this larger rivalry. It was a picture perfect moment as he raised his bat to his team-mates and the crowd.