Morgan in England squad for SL opener

LONDON, May 22 (AFP): Eoin Morgan won the race for the vacancy in England's middle-order when he was named in a 12-man squad Sunday for the first Test against Sri Lanka, seeing off the challenge of Ravi Bopara. Former Ireland left-hander Morgan filled the place created by the Test retirement of Paul Collingwood, who quit the five-day format following England's Ashes series win in Australia in January. Morgan, who was in the Ashes squad but did not play in any of the Tests, has long been considered the next batsman in line and his inclusion for the opener against Sri Lanka, the first of a three-match series, in Cardiff Thursday reflects England's desire for consistency of selection. Earlier this week the 24-year-old scored 193 against Sri Lanka for the second-string England Lions in a four-day fixture in Derby that concludes later Sunday. Meanwhile fast bowler Steven Finn, Morgan's Middlesex team-mate, was recalled to the squad.