Morgan In England Squad To Face Sri Lanka

Eoin Morgan has earned a surprise call-up to England's Test squad to face Sri Lanka ahead of Ravi Bopara.

Morgan replaces Paul Collingwood, who retired from Test cricket following England's Ashes series win in Australia in January.

Morgan was in that Ashes squad but did not play in any of the Tests. His decision to play in the lucrative Indian Premier League was expected to count against his chances of selection.

Bopara declined to play in the IPL to focus on winning a Test place, but he not manage to convince England National Selector Geoff Miller.

Miller admitted that Morgan's superb 193 against Sri Lanka for the second-string England Lions was crucial in tipping the balance in his favour: "Eoin Morgan impressed us last summer when he was given his opportunity in the Test side and has worked hard on his game throughout the tour of Australia.

"He now has the opportunity to play a role in the test team."

England's first Test in a three-match series against Sri Lanka begins in Cardiff on Thursday.

England squad to play Sri Lanka: Andrew Strauss (Middlesex) (Captain); James Anderson (Lancashire); Ian Bell (Warwickshire); Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire); Alastair Cook (Essex); Steven Finn (Middlesex); Eoin Morgan (Middlesex); Kevin Pietersen (Surrey); Matt Prior (Sussex); Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire); Chris Tremlett (Surrey); Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).