England's selectors could be forced into a late change of plan for next week's first Test against the West Indies at Lord's after it emerged all-rounder Ravi Bopara had torn a thigh muscle.
England are due to name a 13-man squad for the first of a three-Test series on Sunday. After bowling an over for Essex against Kent at Chelmsford on Friday, medium-pacer Bopara left the field but did return Saturday to bat with a runner, only to be run out for 19.
Ravi Bopara
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An Essex statement issued before play started Saturday said: “Bopara has a slight tear in his right quadriceps, but has not ruled himself out of selection for the first Test.”
Should Bopara be unavailable to bat at No 6, England could stick with spin-bowling all-rounder Samit Patel, who appeared in the team’s last two Tests in Sri Lanka when the Essex man was ruled out with a side strain.
Alternatively, they could turn to the uncapped James Taylor, who as captain of the second-string England Lions scored 118 against the West Indies at on Friday in the warm-up tie.
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