Bopara impresses with a century

London: Essex batsman Ravi Bopara gave a timely reminder to the England selectors with a fine century against County Championship leaders Yorkshire on Tuesday.

With the opening Test against Pakistan starting a week tomorrow, Bopara, 25, scored an elegant 142 on the opening day at Chelmsford to press his claims for a recall, particularly with Ian Bell out with a broken foot.

England selector James Whitaker watched Bopara's innings and saw opener Alastair Cook hit a fluent 44 for Essex.

Cook has not ruled out the possibility of surgery on a bulging disc in his back.

"Fingers crossed it will be all right," he said. "There's still a possibility of surgery but we've got a great medical team behind us and they will look at every alternative to surgery to keep me out there playing.

"It's obviously frustrating but it's part and parcel of the game and hopefully I can continue playing. But if it does flare up again we'll have to have a look at it."

Yorkshire seamer Ajmal Shahzad is a major doubt for the first Test at Trent Bridge after missing Tuesday's game with an ankle injury.