Gooch hails Bopara selection

Ravi Bopara has played 19 one-day internationals

Essex batting coach Graham Gooch has backed the international selectorial decision which has seen Ravi Bopara called up to the England Test squad for the forthcoming series in Sri Lanka.

Bopara was one of 15 names announced by David Graveney on Friday, earning a spot ahead of the more experienced and highly-rated Mark Ramprakash.

“Nobody could have argued had Mark Ramprakash been given the nod, because he’s batted out of his skin in recent years, but a policy decision has been made to go with Ravi,” Gooch told Essex CCC.

“The England selectors should be congratulated on the way they are looking forward, in backing a player who can make a contribution to the England team for the next decade.”

Bopara offers an all-round option with his dobbly seamers underestimated by many players around the world and affording partnership-breaking chances on the domestic circuit, something which Gooch believes gave him the edge over his rivals.

“Ravi’s call-up is a good decision on the part of the management,” he said.

“I think the decision is a forward-thinking one because Ravi is a player who could make a difference for England for a long time as a batsman, fielder and also as a useful support bowler.

“In Sri Lanka you could have the possibility of going into the Tests with two front-line seamers, two spinners and then requiring others to fill in. Although neither are third seamers both Ravi and Paul Collingwood could provide that fill-in role.”

Bopara has played 19 one-day internationals, since making his England debut in the Commonwealth Bank Series in February and has shown himself to be a worthy acquisition in the middle-order.

Alastair Cook will have to get used to a new opening partner

“He has proved in ODIs that he is not just talented but also has the character to succeed at the highest level,” Gooch added.

“England back him, and I do too, to prove that he is the type of player who can also succeed in the longer game.”

Bopara’s Essex colleague Alastair Cook is also part of the 15, having established his place at the top of the order in the 21 Tests he has played.

But he will be starting this series with a different opening partner, in captain Michael Vaughan, having only played alongside the dropped Andrew Strauss so far in his international career.

“Changing partners should only cause a minor difficulty,” Gooch said. “You need to build up an understanding in terms of the way the other batsman plays and thinks.”

Gooch was part of a highly successful opening partnership for England, with Geoff Boycott, so he is ideally placed to pass comment on the trials and tribulations of going into bat first.

“With regards to Alastair opening with Michael Vaughan, there are a couple of positives in that there is a combination offering both youth and experience, and a left-hander and a right-hander with different styles,” he said.

“As an opening pair you want to present different problems to the bowlers and I think this pair offers that.”