Bopara rejects IPL approach

Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara has turned down a lucrative offer to play in the Indian Premier League in a bid to cement his place in the England side.

Hampshire skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas is England’s only representative in India, with the national team’s schedule and the domestic season clashing with the new 20-over competition.

Alastair Cook, Bopara’s county team-mate, last week insisted he would always play for his country given a choice between England and the IPL.

And Bopara, who was named in the England Performance Squad last month, has rejected a contract from an unnamed IPL franchise in favour of remaining with Essex and fighting for his England place.

“Of course when figures like these are put in front of you it is tempting, but my goal is to play regularly for England,” said Bopara, who has enjoyed a prolific start to the season.

“I am confident that if I continue to score runs and take wickets for Essex then I will hopefully play for England this summer and for many years to come.

“If I do this, I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the financial benefits in years to come.”

Bopara made his Test debut on the tour of Sri Lanka late last year, but was dropped after making just 42 runs in three matches.

Winning his place back in the England team is his most pressing concern, and he ensured his name was at the forefront of the selectors’ thoughts with 499 runs in his first four competitive innings this season.

“My first priority is with England,” Bopara added. “As a kid my ambition was to have a successful international career.

“All my cricketing idols have had successful international careers and I want to emulate them.

“My decision was made with England in mind. I’m currently playing well and with a Test series coming up (against New Zealand) if there was an injury to our batting line-up I’d like to think I would be next in line.

“(Being approached by the IPL) is a nice gesture – it’s nice to be known and wanted. But at the present time I have other responsibilities – to score enough runs to get into the England team.

“I’m glad if my IPL approach has made Essex proud. I’m a London boy but have been with Essex CCC for about 10 years so I’m Essex through and through now.

“I love playing at Essex and want to play for them for the rest of my career,” he told the Essex website.

Essex first-team coach Paul Grayson welcomed Bopara’s decision to shun the IPL.

“Ravi is a highly talented cricketer with bat and ball so it was inevitable he would be wanted for a competition like the Indian Premier League,” he said.

“I believe he has made a wise decision because if he keeps producing the goods for us he will have a long and successful career with England ahead of him.

“We appreciate the loyalty Ravi has shown as he wants us to continue the progress we have made here at Essex after a good start to the season.”