Essex star given the nod for India clash (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Essex star given the nod for India clash

11:40am Thursday 13th November 2008 in Sport

ESSEX all-rounder Ravi Bopara has been named in England's team to face India in the first One-Day International of a seven-match series in Rajkot on Friday.

The 23-year-old has been given the nod ahead of Sussex's Luke Wright and will bat at number eight in a strong batting line-up.

It was initially thought that the Essex man, who amassed 1162 runs during the county season, would be dropped in favour of Wright after failing to impress during England's final warm-up match against a Mumbai President's XI, where they were skittled out for just 98 and Bopara made just nine.

But captain Kevin Pietersen has put his faith in the talented youngster and insists he deserves his chance, with Friday's game marking his first appearance for the national side since the opening one-day international against South Africa in the summer.

“Ravi has earned his recall," said Pietersen. "He's been on the sidelines for a lot of the cricket we've played for the last however long.

"I'm a big Ravi Bopara fan on these wickets and we wanted to give him a go - I think he's so exciting.

"He's a very quick learner, he wants to learn and he's also willing to ask questions. He's really impressed me in the short term I've been captain and also when I've played alongside him as a player."