Essex cricketer Ravi Bopara is still in the England fold despite pulling out of the side ahead of the Second Test which ended today.

Essex batsman Ravi Bopara has another chance to re-establish himself as an England test player after his excellent performances in the one-day series against Australia.

Essex batsman Ravi Bopara has been named in the England squad for the first test against South Africa, starting at The Oval on Thursday.

Bopara earned his place with an excellent one-day series against Australia.

He joins Essex colleague and former Bedford school student Alistair Cook in the 13-man squad.

ENGLAND SQUAD

Strauss (Middlesex, captain), Anderson (Lancashire), Bell (Warwickshire), Bopara (Essex), Bresnan (Yorkshire), Broad (Nottinghamshire), Cook (Essex), Finn (Middlesex), Onions (Durham), Pietersen (Surrey), Prior (Sussex, wicketkeeper), Swann (Nottinghamshire), Trott (Warwickshire)