Ravi Bopara blows first shot at England redemption

The Essex batsman, who made only one run during last week's Headingley horror show, might easily have fallen for duck in front of watching England selector James Whitaker - getting off the mark with a risky single after pushing his first delivery from Middlesex's Tim Murtagh to cover.

But if that run was meant to settle Bopara's nerves, it did not work.

Murtagh soon tempted him with a lifting delivery outside off stump - and the end result was a tentative poke, leading to a comfortable catch at second slip for Murali Kartik leaving Esses on 15 for two.

Bopara had faced just seven balls, but even that brief innings was a little longer than Alastair Cook's stay at the crease once Essex set off in pursuit of Middlesex's 356 all out.

The England opener, who made a couple of 30s during the Fourth Test defeat in Leeds, pulled Steve Finn for a promising boundary.

But then, pushing half forward at Tim Murtagh, the left-hander was struck on the pad, fifth ball, by one swinging back into him and promptly sent on his way, lbw, by umpire Peter Willey.

Cook's place in next week's Ashes decider at the Brit Oval should not be in any doubt.

But it is almost impossible to see how England can pick Bopara, who has made only 105 runs in seven innings against Australia.

Other contenders for the No3 slot, had a frustrating morning up in Division One, morning rain at Trent Bridge meant England's Ian Bell and Test aspirant Jonathan Trott would have to wait for their chance to impress for Warwickshire.

Up in Division One, morning rain at Trent Bridge meant England's Ian Bell and Test aspirant Jonathan Trott would have to wait for their chance to impress for Warwickshire.