Bopara's bold stand deserves to be rewarded
Ravi Bopara has shown his class by jettisoning the gold of the IPL to have a chance to push for a Test spot
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
Ravi Bopara has shown his class by jettisoning the gold of the IPL to have a chance to push for a Test spot. For that brave decision alone, he deserves to be in the starting XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka, writes Barney Ronay in the Guardian, contrasting it with Eoin Morgan's decision to turn out for Kolkata Knight Riders.
In a sense Bopara leaves the selectors little choice. What kind of message would it send out now to prefer Morgan? Bopara scored an excruciating 16-ball duck in his first innings since deciding to force the selectors' hand with sheer weight of runs in county cricket, but in effect we know enough about him already. He may or may not be good enough, just as Morgan may or may not be. But it would be sound self-promotion if Bopara's stance - Test cricket over gold - were to be rewarded.