Injury blow for Ravi Bopara
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Ravi Bopara has impressed with the bat
Ravi Bopara's hopes of claiming a spot in the England side for the first Test with Sri Lanka have been hit by the news he will not be able to bowl.
Bopara, who has impressed with the bat during this week's warm-up game, is battling with Samit Patel and Tim Bresnan for the allrounder role.
But it has been confirmed he has picked up a side strain that will prevent him from fulfilling any bowling duties.
"Ravi Bopara strained his left side in the first innings and is unlikely to bowl during the Test series," said an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman during the game with a Sri Lanka Development XI. "He will be available for selection as a specialist batsman."
Bopara could fill a specialist-batsman role, with Ian Bell struggling, but England are keen on having extra bowling options on account of the heat and humidity that will limit the amount of overs the seamers can bowl.
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