Chopra named Troughton successor

Varun Chopra has been appointed Warwickshire's new club captain after the retirement of Jim Troughton. Chopra has led the side for much of the season, with Troughton battling a chronic back condition that eventually forced an end to his playing career.

Chopra was in charge as Birmingham Bears - Warwickshire's T20 rebranding - claimed a first domestic T20 title last month. Warwickshire will also contest the final of the Royal London Cup on Saturday and are favourites to finish as runners-up in the Championship.

"Varun has done an outstanding job as vice-captain and in deputising for Jim," Dougie Brown, Warwickshire's director of cricket, said. "His captaincy credentials have been proven by the team's excellent results in recent months and he is the natural successor to lead the club.

"Whilst Jim's injury has resulted in his premature retirement from the game, he remains a key member of the team management as we prepare for the Royal London Cup Final at Lord's and approach our final County Championship match next week."

Chopra, 27, has been a regular with the Lions but a poor season in the Championship - he has made 625 runs at 28.40 - has seen him lose ground as a potential Test opening partner for Alastair Cook, a position that remains a problem. Chopra has flourished since joining Warwickshire from Essex in 2009, passing 1000 first-class runs in each of the past three seasons. He was Warwickshire's leading run-scorer in the T20 Blast and is currently second to Tim Ambrose in the 50-over competition.