Sussex delighted with capture of ex-England star Ravi Bopara
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.”
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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