Bopara ready to cement England spot PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 14 June 2012 22:40
RAVI Bopara is anxious to make up for lost time on his return to England colours after injury, in the NatWest Series against West Indies.
Bopara was at the head of the queue to fill England's number six position against these opponents in this summer's Test series, only to suffer a calf injury on the eve of the squad announcement for the first Test match last month, a place that was filled at Lord's, and in the two subsequent Test matches, by Jonny Bairstow.
Bopara's calf trouble was the latest in a series of minor but untimely niggles over the past eight months but he is expected to be back at number four in the first of three 50-over matches against the Windies, at the Ageas Bowl tomorrow.
He said: "I'm really looking forward to it. I haven't played a lot of cricket for England recently because of injuries. So it's exciting for me, and I'm in good form."
Bopara returned at the start of this month with a 50-over century, and then one in four-day cricket too, for Essex.
He is not about to start worrying unduly either about a run of injuries, which may be pure coincidence.
"It's very frustrating. It's only recently I've started to get a few injuries," he said.
"Before that, I very rarely missed games through injury ... it's probably a sign of me getting old. It is annoying. It is frustrating. But whatever's meant to be is meant to be."
Even so, he is aware of others profiting from his absence - and at 27, time is not on his side as much as it once was.
"I guess what it does is it gives someone else an opportunity to cement his place, and that's not ideal. But it means when I get my opportunity, I've got to cement my place. Let's hope I get it soon.”
Last Updated on Thursday, 14 June 2012 22:41
 

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