Morgan gets Test nod

Cricket: Irishman and Middlesex batsman Eoin Morgan was this morning handed his England Test debut on his home ground, against…

Cricket:Irishman and Middlesex batsman Eoin Morgan was this morning handed his England Test debut on his home ground, against Bangladesh at Lord's.

Morgan, as anticipated, got the nod ahead of Ajmal Shahzad - the other uncapped player in England's 12 - as the hosts decided on a balance of six specialist batsmen rather than an extra bowler.

Steven Finn therefore joined his Middlesex colleagues, captain Andrew Strauss and Morgan, in an England team expected to again be too good for opponents they beat 2-0 in Bangladesh two months ago.

The Bray native is likely to fit in at number six in a strong England batting line-up, and learned at the toss he may get an opportunity to impress later today - after Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan chose to bowl first on a cloudy morning, after overnight rain.

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Bangladesh's team was as expected, with pace bowler Robiul Islam making his Test debut.