Ian Bell proved he's the real deal

Ian Bell is no longer an up-and-coming young player with huge potential. He is now the real deal after his superb 199 in the first innings at Lord's.

Bell came into this Test under pressure for his place because of the imminent return to the side of Andrew Flintoff - and after a lean time of it against New Zealand, he knew he had to perform.

And perform he did. Promise and potential when you are first selected allows you a honeymoon from the critics while they assess and dissect your ability, mental strength and reaction to tough situations.

Bell's talent has never been an issue but in recent times he has been accused of not scoring the "tough runs" when it really matters.

It's a lot easier to come in to bat with the score at 300-3 than it is with the scoreboard showing three wickets down for a comparatively small total.

Any doubts about his temperament were answered with a star showing as he became the first Englishman to be dismissed for 199. In the space of an innings he has transformed himself from a boy to a man.

I am a huge admirer of Bell and have been from the moment I first played against him when he began his career with Warwickshire.

After his first Test series I wrote in this column that he would score more than 5,000 Test runs and I see no reason to alter my thoughts.

When he bats like this there is no other player as pleasing on the eye - his timing and placement are second to none and it all looks so effortless.

The much vaunted pace attack of South Africa did not trouble him at all and at times were made to look very ordinary, with the exception of Morne Morkel.

His innings was a defining moment in his career and I honestly believe he will, along with Kevin Pietersen, dominate England's batting for the foreseeable future.

Bell's was the stand-out performance but yet again Pietersen underlined what an unbelievable individual he is. Playing in his first Test against his country of birth, and no doubt more nervous than when he made his actual debut, he showed that he is the "special one".

He royally entertained the Lord's crowd and the tremendous reception he was given on reaching three figures will live with him for a long time.

One player we must all sympathise with is Paul Collingwood. Like Bell he knew he had to perform to stave off calls for Flintoff to take his place.

After sitting on the dressing-room balcony while Bell and Pietersen put on a record 286-run partnership he eventually had his opportunity.

Unfortunately his efforts were cut short by a horrendous decision from umpire Billy Bowden in being adjudged caught at short leg with the ball clearly missing the bat.

Cricket can be a cruel game at times and Collingwood has every right to feel sorry for himself. How he must have wished England had agreed to trial the "referral system" which was on offer from the ICC for this series.

We have all seen how well it works in tennis and if it had been in use at Lord's Collingwood's future may not now be under a cloud. England's better bowling display has given them a great opportunity to go one up in this four-Test series.

The discipline from the four main bowlers, backed up by quality fielding have shown up South Africa.

This will be a tough series and today is the day to