Ravi Bopara gets Graeme Swann’s backing – Cricket New Update
England’s spearhead spin bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RS-Bopara-c2373 to return to the Test arena, after being left out for the second Investec Test against South Africa.
The first Test against South Africa at The Oval marked Bopara’s return to the Test line-up after a gap of almost one year. After an unimpressive show in the series opener, making 0 and 22 in the two innings, the all-rounder on Sunday pulled out of the Headingley Test shortly before the squad was picked up in London.
There were few raised eyebrows on Bopara’s bizarre exclusion, with many suspecting a poor form behind his axing. But the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 and Wales Cricket Board is adamant that the Essex batsman has been ruled out of the game for “personal reasons”.
"It is sad for Rav," said Swann when asked to comment on the issue. “He's been in brilliant nick - stupendous form, I think, until the Test match obviously.”
“I was backing him to score heavily this summer, because of the way he'd been playing in those one-dayers. He just seemed to have found something,” he added further, referring to the half-centuries knocks Bopara scored in the one-day matches against West Indies and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 lately.
Many fear that time may be running out for the middle-order batsman, who is yet to establish himself at the highest level, after 13 Tests. But Swann does not have any doubts about Bopara’s Test future.
"He will be back - this won't be it, for him. I'd put my mortgage on it."
Ravi Bopara, a right-handed No. 6 batsman and a handy right-arm medium pace bowler, made his Test debut in December 2007, against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, and has to date represented England in 13 five-day matches. Though the right-hander averages 31.94 with the bat in Tests, he lacks consistency.
The ECB selectors have called up uncapped http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Taylor-c66127 to replace the 27-year-old all-rounder in the squad for the second Test, commencing at Leeds in Headingley, from Thursday, August 2.
Swann also backed his Notts teammate, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 to come good, if given a Test cap at Headingley, on Thursday.
England currently trail http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 0-1 in the three-Test series.
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