Technical Committee confirms James Anderson can replace Ravi Bopara in England squad for upcoming ICC World Twenty20

The ICC has confirmed the Technical Committee of the ICC World Twenty20 2007 has approved James Anderson as a replacement player for Ravi Bopara in England's squad for the tournament, which runs from 11 to 24 September in South Africa.

The confirmation was conveyed to the England and Wales Cricket Board in an email sent on behalf of the tournament Technical Committee late yesterday (Friday).

Anderson replaces Bopara after medical reports were received indicating that Bopara had sustained an injury to his right thumb and would not be fit in time to take part in the event.

Anderson, the 25-year-old fast bowler, is the fourth replacement player to be called up for the tournament so far after Andre Nel was approved to replace Loots Bosman for South Africa, Dilruwan Perera was approved to replace Muttiah Muralidaran in the Sri Lanka squad and Ben Hilfenhaus was approved to replace Shaun Tait in the Australia squad.

The process required for approving any player involves that player's home board making an application in writing to the tournament Technical Committee for permission.

In this case the application was supported by medical reports confirming Bopara's injury and certifying that the player was not fit for the event.

The Technical Committee of the ICC World Twenty20 consists of David Richardson (International Cricket Council), Campbell Jamieson (IDI, the ICC's commercial arm), Steve Elworthy (tournament director), Brian Basson (Cricket South Africa), Ravi Shastri (independent) and Ian Bishop (independent).

England's first match of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa will take place against Zimbabwe in Cape Town on Thursday 13 September.