Ravi Bopara, England

Essex star Ravi Bopara left out of England squad

Sunday, May 13, 2012
10:14 AM

The batsman picked up the injury against Kent

Essex star Ravi Bopara has been left out of the England squad as Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow was called up into the squad to face the West Indies in the first Test at Lord’s on Thursday.

The 26-year-old missed the Sri Lanka series though injury, despite being in the squad and the curse struck again during the last round of Championship games.

The batsman was forced off the field during Essex’s draw with Kent but had been in reasonable form this season, scoring 117 not out of his county’s first innings of 199 against Yorkshire.

Middlesex have two representatives in Andrew Strauss and Steven Finn, while Surrey batsman Kevin Pietersen is also in the squad.

Alastair Cook is also in line to face the West Indies.