Morgan keeps in-form Ravi out of Test team

Eoin Morgan has been backed by county and country bosses to cement his position in the England Test side ahead of this winter's Ashes.

The Irish–born Middlesex batsman retained his place ahead of Essex's Ravi Bopara for Thursday's first Test against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, having made scores of 44 and 37 in his first two five–day games against Bangladesh earlier this summer.

National selector Geoff Miller said: "Bopara has been playing really well but we want to see a bit more from Eoin. He played well for Middlesex in his last game.

"Yes, we want to win this match and win this series, but we have an eye on the winter as well and we have got to make sure that the equation is sorted, so Eoin keeps his place."

That decision was backed by Middlesex director of cricket Angus Fraser, who saw Morgan make 58 not out as he and England team–mate Steven Finn dug in to stave off defeat against Sussex yesterday.

On the limited–overs specialist's suitability for the longer form, Fraser said: "We saw that yesterday, when he made 50 or 60 to save the game for Middlesex.

"Yes, he's got all the shots to play Twenty20 and to star in one–day cricket but the great thing about Eoin is that he plays the situation.

“He's got the game to do that, so I think he will make a real success of Test cricket, too."

Former England opener Marcus Trescothick was another to support Morgan's inclusion, but had sympathy for Bopara and fellow absentee Tim Bresnan.

"Ravi's been playing well but you've just got to earn your way back in," he said. "There's no doubt about it, he's a great player and he's going to come back soon, but I think it's a good move to stick with the players they have got at present."

Bresnan was omitted as fellow Yorkshire star Ajmal Shahzad took the last seam bowling place in the 12–man squad and Trescothick added: "Bres is a little bit unlucky – he's done pretty well but the guy that's come in is a great bowler.

"The team is looking in great shape and I'm sure they're going to get a good victory."

Miller is upbeat about his side's prospects for the four–match series and encouraged by the competition for places.

"There are a lot of people knocking on the door. We wanted strength in depth and gradually we are getting that.”

England squad: A Strauss (capt), J Anderson, S Broad, P Collingwood, A Cook, S Finn, E Morgan, K Pietersen, M Prior (wkt), A Shahzad, G Swann, J Trott.