Bopara out of England plans

Ravi Bopara will miss the inaugural World Twenty20

England all-rounder Ravi Bopara will miss the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 because of his broken thumb.

Bopara, initially due to be reassessed along with his fellow injury victim Andrew Flintoff at The Brit Oval on Tuesday morning, was absent from the rest of the squad’s preparations for Wednesday’s sixth NatWest Series match against India.

England chairman on selectors David Graveney subsequently confirmed Bopara will miss the final two one-day internationals - as well as this month’s World Twenty20 competition in South Africa.

Graveney said: “Four to six weeks is the medical prediction - which falls around about the one-day tournament.

“It’s an injury to his bowling hand, bottom hand batting-wise. But let’s not be pessimistic; let’s hope it recovers quickly.

“It’s desperately disappointing for him to miss out on a trip to South Africa. He’s definitely out of Twenty20 - but there are possibilities he will be available for the one-dayers in Sri Lanka.”

David Graveney and Andrew Flintoff discuss matters at the Brit Oval on Tuesday morning

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Bopara broke his thumb in Sunday’s defeat against India at Headingley Carnegie - a result which left this seven-match series delicately poised at 3-2 to the hosts.

Meanwhile, Flintoff was set for another meeting with his specialist consultant on Tuesday afternoon as he continues to feel discomfort in his troublesome left ankle.

Graveney added: “He is seeing the surgeon who performed his third ankle operation later on this afternoon - and we will go on from there.

“He’s not ruled out of tomorrow - but at the same time, he is not definite to go to the Twenty20, because we have to wait for that medical opinion tomorrow."

England have already called Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright into their NatWest squad as cover, following Bopara’s injury.

Wright was already in the 14-man Twenty20 squad - meaning England will have to find another replacement for Bopara in South Africa.

Fast bowler Chris Tremlett is unfit for Wednesday’s match because of a foot problem.