England coach Andy Flower has left the international cricket door open to Ravi Bopara after the batsman withdrew from the second Test squad for 'personal reasons'.

Bopara has been replaced in the squad by Nottinghamshire's James Taylor, and although Flower acknowledged that it was an excellent opportunity for Taylor, he made it clear that Bopara still remains in test contention.

Flower said: "It's disappointing for Ravi, but it opens the door to another player who has come through the academy system and worked really hard over the years to get his chance.

"It doesn't close the door on Ravi Bopara. He's effectively made himself unavailable due to the personal reasons he described to me."

The second Test between England and South Africa begins on Thursday.

Written by
Darren Plant