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Today's Paper | October 05, 2024

Published 12 Jul, 2010 12:00am

England call up Bopara

LONDON, July 11 England have added Ravi Bopara to their squad as a replacement for injured batsman Ian Bell ahead of the third and final One-day International against Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Monday.

Bell broke his foot while fielding during Bangladeshs dramatic five-run win in the second match of the series here on Saturday and had to hobble out as last man, with a runner, in order to prolong Englands hopes of victory.

Bell, who has fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot, is expected to be out of action for several weeks and now, with the Bangladesh series level at 1-1, England have recalled Bopara.

The 25-year-old Essex all-rounder, also a handy medium-pacer, played the last of his 50 ODIs against New Zealand at the Champions Trophy in November.

While he was in the England squad that won this years World Twenty20, Bopara made just one appearance in the Caribbean after Kevin Pietersen had flown home briefly to attend the birth of his first child.

An England and Wales Cricket Board statement issued on Sunday said Bopara would be available to play for Essex in their domestic Twenty20 Cup tie against Somerset at Chelmsford later Sunday before joining up with the England squad.—AFP

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