Ravi Bopara today aborted his scheduled return to action following a break from cricket for unspecified personal reasons.
Bopara, who missed the drawn second Test against South Africa at Headingley after originally being named in the squad, had agreed to return for England Lions' four-day match against Australia A at Old Trafford.
However, although the 27-year-old was at the ground this morning, he pulled out of the contest before a rain-delayed toss, informing the management that he does not feel in the right frame of mind to resume his 2012 season.
"I thought I was ready to return to action but after some consideration I just feel it's too early so won't be playing quite yet," Bopara confirmed.
Left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan replaced Essex's Bopara in the XI and Lions captain Eoin Morgan won the toss and chose to bat in the first of two matches between the Ashes rivals' second strings.
Quite extreme for an alleged breakup with his broad...