http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ravinder-Singh-Bopara-c84233 favourite to earn a place in the England Test squad
Ravi Bopara’s decision of keeping himself away from the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) seems to have benefitted him in his International career. The middle-order batsman is likely to earn a place in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013’s Test squad for the upcoming series against
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
The English side is scheduled to play three-match Test series against the Lankan Tigers, starting from May, 26, 2011.
Bopara earlier turned down the offer to play for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals in the cash-rich Twenty20 league.
Although, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Charles-Hildreth-c65540 are the other two strongest contenders, Bopara remains favourite for the selection.
England’s batting coach and Bopara’s mentor at Essex County, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Graham-Alan-Gooch-c60530, said, "He has made getting back into the Test side as his No1 priority.”
"That`s a http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adam-Richard-Griffith-c41953 statement in itself. If you go and play in the IPL, well, I`m not decrying anyone who does that, but you don`t put yourself in the best position to prepare for Test cricket," the former English Test skipper added.
Bopara, who has served England in 10 five-day matches, played his last Test match in 2009 when he got out on a golden duck in the second innings against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.
However, his excellent recent form in domestic cricket has made him a serious contender for a place in the English Test squad.
In the ongoing cricket season in England, the right-hander has smashed two blistering centuries in the last couple of games.
Bopara`s coach at Essex County, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Paul-David-Collingwood-c81044, who has announced his retirement from the five-day format of cricket.
"Initially (this season) http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ghante-Vasudeva-Murthy-Ravi-c59951 struggled a bit in English conditions. But he has really found his feet now. He is in a good place at the moment with the bat, he looks very confident" said Paul Grayson.
Along with three centuries, the 26-year-old player holds an average of 33.46 in Test cricket.
Furthermore, Bopara has been performing outstandingly with the ball in the season. So far in the domestic championship, Bopara has gone through 119 overs, the most number of overs bowled by any http://www.senore.com/Cricket/David-Daniel-Masters-c52741.
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