ContinueThe England squad for the second Investec Test match against South Africa was announced today. There was one change to the 13-man squad with James Taylor of Nottinghamshire coming in for Ravi Bopara.
Having been recalled to the Test squad after being injured earlier in the season, it had been expected that Bopara would have a place in the side for the whole of the three match series against South Africa. Taylor comes into the squad on the back of consistent performances at county level and also on the back of starring for the England Lions. He is expected to earn his first Test cap at Headingley this Thursday.
It is rumoured that Bopara was made unavailable due to personal reasons and, depending on how Taylor and the other batsmen perform; this could spell the end of Bopara's Test career. A player of undoubted talent, Bopara has never quite fulfilled the potential he showed when scoring three consecutive centuries against the West Indies three years ago.
It is suggested that Taylor will come in to bat at six in a straight swap for Bopara. The biggest question for the selectors will be whether they make a change to the bowling department having only managed to take two wickets in one hundred and eighty-nine overs at The Oval. It is expected that Steven Finn will come in to the side at the expense of Tim Bresnan.
