Ravi Bopara has been included in the England squad for the ODI series against South Africa. Bopara had withdrawn his name from the test team before the headingly test match saying that he was not mentally prepared to play test cricket at that point of time. Since then, there had been a bit of uncertainty about his future. There had been speculations that Bopara might keep himself out of the ODI series as well. But, the English selectors have ended those speculations by including Bopara in the ODI squad.
The national selector, Geoff Miller, said that Bopara is ready to make a comeback in the England team. He has been batting well in the ODI matches recently. He is a vital member of the ODI team and England needs him to bat well in the ODI series against South Africa. The T20 skipper, Stuart Broad, has been rested for the ODI series. On being asked about the reasons for resting Broad, Miller said that Broad is one of those players who play for England in all the three formats of the game. He has played a lot of cricket in the last few months. So, the selection committee decided to give him rest so that he could come back completely refreshed in the T20 World Cup.
The captain of the England ODI team, Alistair Cook, has also expressed his delight on the inclusion of Bopara in the ODI squad. Cook said that Bopara had played a major part in England’s victory over Australia in the recent ODI series. He is the right kind of batsman to bat at no. 4. He plays according to the situation and England has massive hopes with him in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. The first match of the series will be played on 24th of August at Cardiff.