Bopara commits to Essex
On the eve of his departure for the World Cup, Ravinder Bopara has signed a contract extension with Essex which will keep him at Chelmsford until the end of 2009
Cricinfo staff
01-Mar-2007
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Bopara made his ODI debut against Australia, at Sydney, during the CB Series and gained a place in England's 15-man squad for the Caribbean. His international call came on the back of an impressive 2006 domestic season where he scored 806 runs at 38 in the Championship and bagged 19 wickets at 47 with his skiddy medium-pace. He also played a vital role in Essex's one-day success.
He was initially selected for England's Academy side which was based in Perth during the Ashes and was then called into the one-day squad after Kevin Pietersen broke a rib during the first match of the tournament.
He told the Essex website: "I didn't quite know what was going to be happening with my career a couple of months ago when I wasn't involved with England but since I've been involved with them it's just made me want to stay with Essex forever," he said. "Hopefully I'll be playing for England more and more but I'm ready to stay at Essex for the rest of my career. This is where I love playing and where I always want to play."