One-day axe for Bopara, Shah

Cook, Trott and Mahmood back in favour for South Africa tour

Last updated: 8th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

One-day axe for Bopara, Shah

Shah: out in the cold

Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah will, of course, be disappointed not to be included in either squad but they are both high class players and will remain in the selectors' thoughts as we go forward.

Geoff Miller
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Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah have been left out of England's one-day squad for the tour of South Africa.

The duo, mainstays for England in the 50-over format over the last 12 months, have been replaced in the 16-man party for two Twenty20s and five one-day internationals against the Proteas by Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott.

Cook, the Test vice-captain, made the most recent of his 23 one-day international appearances in India last November but has gained reward for some strong displays at domestic level for Essex.

Warwickshire's Trott debuted against Ireland at the end of August but was not part of the squad for the NatWest Series and ICC Champions Trophy.

"Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah will, of course, be disappointed not to be included in either squad but they are both high class players and will remain in the selectors' thoughts as we go forward," ECB national selector Geoff Miller said.

"Alastair Cook has shown great determination to improve his one-day game this summer, made runs at domestic level in both 50 over and T20 cricket and the selectors believe now is the right time to re-introduce him to our one-day side.

"Likewise, Jonathan Trott who has made an immediate impact in our Test side and has also shown through his performances at domestic level that he has the talent and temperament to succeed in the shorter forms of the game."

Mahmood return

Fast bowler Sajid Mahmood replaces Ryan Sidebottom in the only other change to the squad that reached the semi-final of the Champions Trophy.

Mahmood last played international cricket at the 2007 World Cup but has been brought back after taking 24 wickets in 16 List A matches for Lancashire last season at an impressive strike rate of 30.5.

"Sajid Mahmood is another player who has had a taste of international cricket before and will be equally keen to make an impression in the one-day arena after continuing to show good form with Lancashire," added Miller.

England are scheduled to play Twenty20 internationals at Johannesburg (Nov 13) and Centurion (Nov 15) followed by five one-dayers from November 20 to December 4.

Paul Collingwood will continue as England's T20 captain before handing over leadership duties to Andrew Strauss for the 50-over action.

Kevin Pietersen has been named in the squad but will not feature in the Twenty20 internationals as he continues his recovery from Achilles surgery.

Pietersen's fitness will be assessed in the hope he can take some part in the one-day internationals.

"Kevin Pietersen is making good progress with his recovery from surgery on his injured Achilles," explained Miller.

"He will join up with the rest of the squad in South Africa following the first two T20 internationals and his fitness will be reassessed ahead of the one-day series."

England limited-overs squad for tour to South Africa:
A Strauss (Middlesex, capt), J Anderson (Lancashire), T Bresnan (Yorkshire), S Broad (Nottinghamshire), P Collingwood (Durham), A Cook (Essex), J Denly (Kent), S Mahmood (Lancashire), E Morgan (Middlesex), G Onions (Durham), K Pietersen (Hampshire), M Prior (Sussex), A Rashid (Yorkshire), G Swann (Nottinghamshire), J Trott (Warwickshire), L Wright (Sussex)

World Cup 2011 Winner Win Outright: England 7/1

Comments (22)

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Stephen Kellett says...

Hello, Yes i fully agree with Scott Loveridge comments about James Foster's none inclusion of any of the squads to S.Africa, i think he's had a great season. Ok Stephen Davies is also good but he's in-experienced, i thought surely James shouldve have been given the nod above him (no offence to S.Davies) because i think he's been the most improved glove-man/batsman. Ste k.

Posted 18:47 9th October 2009

Pramod Upasani says...

Leaving both bopara & O. Shah is a wonderful decision. Both the players might have talent but certainly not have the execution skill & the temparament to play at top level. I think Hemilton-Brown & Vince (I forgot the county name) should have been picked. Both the name I have mentioned has tremendious potential, temparament etc. to play at highest level. One other player come in to my mind is Alex Hail. Rgds,

Posted 12:00 9th October 2009

Sam Cook says...

Nevermind the omission of Bopara and Shah, what I don't understand is the call-up for Mahmood. He's a proven failure at International level and has had his second and third chances. In my opinion he doesn't deserve any more. It's true that Bopara's form hasn't been as good as it should be for cricket at this level, and I can understand leaving him out, but leaving Shah in the dark too is a confusing one. The selectors say he isn't consistant enough, but the lads in form at the moment. His most recent knocks have proved he's in form, so why not take the risk on him? True, the lad can't field well, but if he preforms like he did against SA with the bat, I can allow a misfield or two.

Posted 09:18 9th October 2009

Scott Loveridge says...

James Foster must due a call up by now. Who has he annoyed in the England set-up to not be included? Ravi needs to go and work like Cook has done has earn his call up, but the omission of Shah is amazing. I hope i eat my words and the team goes on to do us proud. Good luck lads!

Posted 02:18 9th October 2009

David t Wells says...

There have been many many cases over the years where good county cricketers have not made it at the very top, doesn't mean they can't play just that in the big arena you cannot afford to have too many flaws as you will soon get worked out. Look at big Kev he is not scoring the runs he did in the the early years and why - he was worked out, going back you look at Hick and right back dear old Tom Graveney. Not sure about Wright as a replacement for Flntoff but let's have a look at him and see how he fairs, let's be honest Flintoff never really fulfilled his desire for runs and wickets. I fear for Mahmood although the can be quick he has a length problem a bit like Broad at times but Broad has been able to work it out whereas I don't think Mahmod can altho I hope he does. We are blessed when it comes to good gloves men - Prior has them at the moment and he has improved, not the time to look for more change there. Overall not a bad selection.

Posted 19:14 8th October 2009

John Smith says...

England's selection policy: never mind the record, does the face fit ? Yes - In, No-Out.

Posted 18:49 8th October 2009

Jordan Ottley says...

sounds like england dont know there best team yet again taking 3 openers and we all know strauss will play the bowling lacks pace and skill as we all saw in the semi final we will never win anything what baffles me is that they could even strenghen the batting as luke wright is a decent lower middle order bat and a good bowler he dont even get a bowl there are better batsmen than wright if he aint gonna bowl whats the plan nobody sees it we dont even take the powerplay ever as we are practically bowled out all the time and have to have it mandatory last 5 overs how you expect to beat everybody like this i could ick a better team than this all day long

Posted 18:07 8th October 2009

Tom Burgess says...

i just give up with the england selectors now, ok bopara has been appauling but shah gettin a decent score against sri-lanka and practicaly winning us the game against south africa with his 98. I mean we're goin in against south africa a team to case over 400 in a 1 day match so we need 6 hitters, so lets replace shah our most consistant fit 6 hitter with the modern day geoferry boycott (cook). have we gone mental!!! ok so he cant realy run or field that well, but he offers a decent part time spinner slot and fielding should realy be an after thought. i would sooner a batter that can rip bowlers apart than a decent fieler that can only tap and run.

Posted 17:49 8th October 2009

Robert Higgins says...

Why are people going on about napier, he's scored that big one and done nothing else, only this year he's pleayed regularly!

Posted 17:18 8th October 2009

Barry Cashin says...

Great decision - and bringing in Trott and Pietersen (if fit) will be the bolster we need. Here's a nod for next year. Watch out for a fellow named Craig Keiswetter - explosive batsman for Somerset. He qualifies to play for England in February and as he is also a brilliant glove man too, the case to dispense with Prior will be all too compelling! Trott, Pietersen and Keiswetter batting at 4,5 and 6 with Wright in at 7 will make us potentially one of the most explosive middle order batting attacks in the world!

Posted 16:26 8th October 2009

Sam G says...

I have no idea why Napier isnt playing international cricket yet. But the thing is who to drop? You cant bring Morgan, Denly and Rashid into international cricket WITH Napier, that'll be too many fresh faces that'll need man managing. Maybe they are bringing them all through slowly.

Posted 16:11 8th October 2009

Shaji Geevarghese says...

Can understand Bopara being axed . He is good in patches .He was given so many chances . Owais is brilliant if he only needs to bat . Cricket is a team game where you have to run and field as well . We have so many brilliant youngsters in this country . It is time to try others . Trott , Wright and Morgan will work well . Not sure of Broad & Bresnan though .Mahmood has been tried before . He seems to have improved . Dont see this as our best team though

Posted 15:49 8th October 2009

Chris Hutton says...

I believe that shah and bopara should be left out for their running alone! no batsman in the england team feels safe whilst batting with them! bopara has had his chances and will be lucky to keep his test place now. and why rush pieterson back!? we beat sri lanka AND SA without him?! surely the team would benefit more from a consistant starting 11 rather than swapping and changing every week???

Posted 15:10 8th October 2009

Neil Doherty says...

No imagination by the selectors again, they take Napier who holds the world record to the T20 world cup, dont play him, mmmm yet another intresting decsion and now dont select him either in the Summer or this tour, Or did the selectors only put him in to save face from the National Press ! Seems the ECB need to treat what they have with some thought and understanding, yet again Shah who i havnt rated, starts to show the promise , what do they do, drop him !!! Come on ECB show us some imagination and players who can hit a ball for 6 rather than hitting the supporters for 6 every time

Posted 14:47 8th October 2009

Chris Duckett says...

Good news at last Bopara and Shah gone there are many better players waiting for a chance to play for England.

Posted 14:34 8th October 2009

Andie Townsend says...

As much as it pains me.....fellow Essex Man Bopara has had his chances and that he now needs to do what Cook did and work on his technique more and when the opportunity comes around again be a better player for it. Shah is plainly unlucky but again, one good innings does not make it alright, he clearly is inconsistent and like Bopara go back and work on this. I would question whether Mahmood is top quality and it is good to give Plunkett another go. I do beleive that Harmison would have done well on this tour but he has had his chances and maybe now is the time for new blood (albeit previously discarded). Lastly spare a thought for the best glove man in the world, whose one day batting is more than just average....... James Foster is plainly unlucky keep the faith and maybe the opportunity will come round again.

Posted 14:33 8th October 2009

Donald Bruce says...

bit of a joke not picking Shah after his heroics against South Africa in the ICC trophy. I don't see Cook as an ideal replacement we need someone to dominate the powerplays not a blocker to take the shine off the new ball.

Posted 14:21 8th October 2009

Saad B says...

why selectors keep picking there favourates (Alistar Cook), after great display in ICC trophy Shah get kick out of the team. talk about being selection dilema, Bopara is acceptable he is not in form but Shah who is second hightes run scorer in one day internationals(546/18innings after A. Strauss 575/18innings) I dont think selectors look at these records they only look at their favourate players, its a shame for english cricket

Posted 14:17 8th October 2009

John Harrison says...

reason for shah's omission is simple - can't field, can't run!

Posted 14:11 8th October 2009

Barry Cashin says...

At last! Some common sense in leaving Bopara out. He's had 50 million chances and failed at every turn. It's alright scoring double hundreds against weak county opposition pony bowling but I'm afraid he just cannot cut the mustard at international level. Drop him too at test level and the job's complete!

Posted 13:42 8th October 2009
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