Sussex delighted with capture of ex-England star Ravi Bopara

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Cricket365
October 16, 2019

Sussex have announced the signing of ex-England all-rounder Ravi Bopara from Essex, bringing to a close his 17 year stint with the county.

The 34-year-old is a veteran of some of the biggest competitions around the globe having competed in the Indian Premier League, Big Bash and for England in the 50-over and T20 World Cups.

Bopara is expected to play across all three formats of the game for Jason Gillespie’s team, with the all-rounder boasting a formidable record in each classification.

In first-class cricket Bopara has amassed 12,821 runs and taken 257 scalps from his 221 matches, while he averages over 40 in List A cricket having compiled 9,845 runs including a famous unbeaten double century.

More recently, Bopara shone in the 2019 Vitality Blast, boasting a lofty 48.5 average with an incredible strike rate of over 162.

Upon completion of his Sussex move, Bopara said via Sussex CCC’s official website: “I want to thank Sussex for this opportunity.

“It is a great chance to play under a respected and acknowledged coach like Jason Gillespie and with a very strong and talented team of players, many of whom will no doubt go on to receive international honours.

READ: Jason Gillespie puts pen to paper on long term Sussex contract

“On a personal note I have a burning desire to achieve greater things in this wonderful game. I will now put a greater emphasis on T20 cricket. I am fitter and stronger than I have ever been and playing my best cricket.

“I want to emphasise that I am not giving up red-ball cricket but I will, for now, play less of it to find time in the calendar year to up-skill in T20 and take my game to a new level as I still have a drive to play international cricket.

“Here’s to the future and hopefully another decade of happy and successful times.”

Jason Gillespie Sussex PA

New Sussex head coach Gillespie gushed about his latest signing, stating: “I’m really, really excited about having Ravi Bopara join us at Sussex. It’s a bit of a coup for us to be perfectly honest: what a wonderful player Ravi has been for England and Essex for a long, long time.

“His knowledge and experience are going to be invaluable in our dressing room. He’s a great lad and we’re very thankful that Ravi has decided to join us. Players and coaches alike are excited to work with him and learn from him.”

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