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Ian Bell dropped for England's tour of South Africa

Batsman Ian Bell has been dropped for England's upcoming tour of South Africa.

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Nick Compton and Gary Ballance have both been recalled but the five-times Ashes winner, who has played 118 Tests for England, has not been selected.

The Tour starts on December 15 and the First Test gets underway on December 26.

Selectors have insisted that his international career is not over, but after a series of poor displays in Pakistan he has been handed a break.

Bell has not scored a Test century in 23 innings.

The uncapped pace bowler Mark Footitt and spinner Samit Patel have been included.

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