James Taylor replaces Ravi Bopara for Headingley Test

Tags: South Africa tour of England - 2012, England Vs South Africa 2nd Test at Leeds - AUG 02-06, 2012, Ravinder Singh Bopara, James William Arthur Taylor

Published on: Jul 30, 2012

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

England have made one change to their Squad for the Second Investec Test against South Africa at Headingley in Leeds. Ravi Bopara, who failed in both the innings of The Oval Test which the hosts had lost, has been replaced with James Taylor. Bopara hasn’t been dropped but opted out of the second Test due to personal reasons.

By BV Swagath

England have made one change to their Squad for the Second Investec Test against South Africa at Headingley in Leeds. Ravi Bopara, who failed in both the innings of The Oval Test which the hosts had lost, has been replaced with James Taylor. Bopara hasn’t been dropped but opted out of the second Test due to personal reasons.

The replacement for Bopara is the 22-year-old James Taylor from Nottinghamshire. Taylor has played an ODI so far which was against Ireland in 2011. The 22-year-old has 12 first-class centuries to his credit along with a batting average close to 50.00.

James TaylorCommenting on the change made for the Headingley Test, National Selector Geoff Miller has been quoted in the ECB website as: "We have made one change to the squad with James Taylor replacing Ravi Bopara, who is unavailable for selection due to personal reasons. James has been part of the England Performance Programme for a number of years and has performed consistently for England Lions and now has an opportunity to step up and experience the Test environment.”

Taylor is all set to make his Test Debut at Headingley as England do have any other batsman in the squad other than him to replace Bopara in the playing XI. The second Test is set to begin next Thursday, i.e. August 2nd.

England Squad for Headingley Test: Andrew Strauss (Captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, James Taylor, Matt Prior (Wicket Keeper), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Graham Onions

Related News