LONDON — James Taylor is set for a Test debut after replacing Ravi Bopara in the 13-strong England squad to take on South Africa in the second Test at Headingley.
Bopara was disappointing in last week’s innings defeat at the Oval being carelessly dismissed for nought in the first innings and 22 in the second. However, an England and Wales Cricket Board release stated his absence was due to “personal reasons”.
That cleared the way for 22-year-old Taylor of Nottinghamshire, who has moved ahead of Eoin Morgan and Jonny Bairstow in the battle for the number six spot.
England second Test squad: Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, James Taylor, Matt Prior (wkt), Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Graham Onions.
