Bopara had an absolute nightmare last time he toured Sri Lanka, so much so he was eventually left out. Two 50s in the one dayers (and in both of those he should have been out for next to nowt, only poor keeping saved him) does not warrant a recall. His bowling is straight up and down military medium which will be of no use on the sub continent.
As for Patel, he can't bat, wouldn't get wickets in the Donny league and is at least a stone (and I'm being kind) overweight so running between wickets is poor (hence the run out when my mother would have made her ground) and is absolutely p*ss poor in the field (due to his lack of mobility).
Whats wrong with taking Briggs, who bowled really well agains't Pakistan? I'll tell you why they are in and Briggs isn't. Thier ethnic background!
Does this make me a rascist? No, as Rashid and Shazad are both infinately better than Bopara and moreso Patel.
The press was asking the question years ago as to why there were no Asians in the England squad despite their ethnicity meaning they're more likely to play cricket. This put pressure on the selectors to find a player of Asian extract, in effect positive descrimination.
Along with Panesar and Shah the answer is staring them in the face-the ones who have been selected so far aren't good enough. :-o
Narks me tha' knows.......................
