Ravi Bopara has been dumped by England.
The Essex batsman has been omitted from both the Test and One-Day squads for the forthcoming winter tour of South Africa.
Bopara played in four of the five Ashes Tests before being axed for the final match, in favour of Warwickshire’s Jonathan Trott, who scored a century as England reclaimed the famous urn.
Bopara’s Essex team-mate Alastair Cook is included in both squads.
Meanwhile, Tony Palladino has signed a new one-year deal with Essex.
Palladino will be lining up in LV County Championship division one next season, with Essex having won promotion.
Palladino, 26, made his First XI debut in 2003 and enjoyed some early career highlights including 6 for 41 versus Kent in the same year.
However, injuries have blighted his career since and he has rarely enjoyed an extended run in the side.
He played just three championship games in 2009, taking seven wickets at an average of 36.
“I have been here for 11 years from youth team through to the First XI.
“I love playing for the club and pulling on the shirt. I hope I can contribute to more success for the club.
“I am going to Namibia to play in a first class competition over the winter months.
“This is in the South African Airways domestic competition and this will give me the ideal opportunity to prepare for a big season in 2010 with Essex.”
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