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James Taylor called up for second Test

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  • James Taylor called up for second Test


    James Taylor made a hundred for England Lions earlier this season © Getty Images
    James Taylor, the Nottinghamshire batsman, has been called up for the second Test at against South Africa at Headingley after Ravi Bopara was ruled out for what the ECB said were 'personal issues'.
    The first match of the series at The Oval marked Bopara's return to the Test line-up after nearly a year out of the team but he struggled making 0 and 22. He had been due to play in Essex's CB40 match against Worcestershire on Sunday.
    Taylor, who has played one ODI against Ireland last year, will enter the match in good form after making a century in the current round of Championship matches against Sussex although before that innings it had been a lean season in four-day cricket for him with one half-century in nine matches. However, he did hit a century for England Lions against the West Indians earlier this season.
    He is the only change to the 13-man squad after the innings-and-12-run defeat in the opening Test at The Oval although question marks remain over the make up of the bowling attack after England took just two wickets in 189 overs. Steven Finn and Graham Onions, who both played Championship cricket this week, are the other options should the selectors decide on a change.
    The most vulnerable of the pace bowlers appears to be Tim Bresnan although he would bring local knowledge on his home ground and can bowl long spells. Stuart Broad below his best at The Oval but it is unlikely that England will considering leaving him out after showing such faith in him during previous slips in form.
    Finn took six wickets against Durham at Chester-le-Street while by the start of the third day Onions had four to his name. Both played against West Indies at Edgbaston when England rotated their pace attack and Finn showed excellent form against Australia in the one-day series.
    Geoff Miller, the national selector, said. "We were outplayed during the first Test last week but it is important that this squad regroups and focuses on preparing for the second Test. This is a talented squad with plenty of international experience and they will be determined to improve on the performance during the first Test.
    "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.
    "We have played a lot of good cricket over the last few years and it's important we remember that, learn from the mistakes that we made and retain the belief that we can level this series at Headingley."
    Squad Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, James Taylor, Matt Prior, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Graham Onions
    Bismillah, alhamdulillah, all praises due to Allah and may Allah increase the honor of Prophet Muhammad and protect our nation from any harm.
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