Bopara pulls out of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 A – Cricket News Update
Essex all-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RS-Bopara-c2373 on Tuesday pulled out of England Lions’ first unofficial Test against Australia A, which started at Old Trafford, Manchester yesterday.
Bopara’s decision once again game at the eleventh hour, as the all-rounder felt he was still not ready to return to competitive cricket due to the personal issues, which forced him to pull out of the drawn second Investec against South
Africa, at Leeds, Headingley.
"I thought I was ready to return to action but after some consideration I just feel it's too early so won't be playing quite yet," said the 27-year-old middle order batsman.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 at The Kia Oval, scoring 0 and 22, made himself unavailable for selection for the second Test, citing “personal reasons”.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) selectors called up uncapped James Taylor as his replacement at No. 6. The rookie http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nottinghamshire-c826 batsman made his Test debut at Headingley last week, and made a determined 34 in his match saving
147-run stand with veteran http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806.
Meanwhile, Bopara was on Sunday drafted into England http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Taylor-c66127. However, he was not among England Lions’ Starting XI for the four-day encounter
named on Tuesday.
With doubts surrounding the participation of Kevin Pietersen in the third and final Test against the Proteas, commencing at Lord's, from August 16, Bopara was widely expected to take marshal the middle order, by batting at No. 6. However,
after pulling out of the England Lions game, is unlikely to get that opportunity.
Bopara made his Test debut in December 2007 and after having played 13 Tests so far, he is yet to cement his place in England’s Test squad. It may be noted here that last month’s The Kia Oval Test marked his return to Test cricket after
a gap of almost one year.
Meanwhile, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Eoin-Joseph-Gerard-Morgan-c56032 is leading the England Lions in the unofficial Test. The hosts will resume their first innings from overnight score of 140 for four on Wednesday morning.
Tags: