Bopara not an international cricketer: Warne by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	RS Bopara, SK Warne
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 18th June 2009

 

Leg-spin wizard Shane Warne said he doubts England batsman Ravi Bopara has what it takes to make an impact in Ashes this summer.

 

Warne played down Bopara's good start to international cricket and questioned his temperament.

 

He wrote in the Daily Mirror that Bopara does not suit the needs of international cricket. He also said that for England to come anywhere closer to a win the batting needs to rally around Kevin Pietersen.

 

"Bopara is a good first-class cricketer, but he is not an international cricketer.

 

"I think he's got all the talent in the world, but I just don't think he's got the temperament. He can be put off his game too easily and he's too worried about how he looks.

 

"Let's hope England aren't relying on Bopara (for the Ashes) because they could be in trouble."

 

"Paul Collingwood can be good, but he has to be batting with someone like Kevin Pietersen to bring the best out of him.

 

"For England to succeed they will have to bat around Pietersen and the captain (Andrew Strauss)."