Bopara needs to grab the rare chance
Out-of-favour batsman is aware that he has to make a significant contribution in his first Test in two years
London: Ravi Bopara on Saturday was handed the chance of an England Test future, fully aware there may not be many more opportunities to come.
Two years to the day since he started his previous Test — the fourth of the 2009 series against Australia — the Essex batsman was picked to replace injured Jonathan Trott in England's 13-man squad for the third Test against India at Edgbaston, which starts on Wednesday.
After that Headingley appearance, Bopara cut the saddest of figures. He absorbed the truth that scores of 1 and 0 in a crushing defeat that left the series 1-1 with one to play had brought his Ashes and his 10-Test career to an abrupt halt, despite the three successive tons he made against West indies in the spring.
It has been a long wait since and even Bopara understands that unless he grabs the opportunity now it may yet all have been in vain.
After watching Trott make an assured debut hundred at The Oval to underpin England's Ashes-clinching victory two years ago, Bopara suffered in silent anguish the unintentional slight of captain Andrew Strauss, whose post-match thank-yous included everyone who had played in the series for England — except him.
Since then, Bopara, 26, has receded into Trott's shadow as the Warwickshire run machine made the England No 3 position his own.
Bopara has had to make do with occasional international appearances in coloured gear, waiting for the call that seemed less likely with every passing series victory on England's journey.
Prior to the first series of this season against Sri Lanka, it was felt that Bopara's decision to turn his back on an Indian Premier League offer and showcase his talent in the County Championship might win him the spot vacated by Paul Collingwood. But the selectors instead plumped for Irishman Eoin Morgan, who had done the exact opposite.
Junior prospects
Now, though, Bopara will certainly play at Edgbaston. He may even become a member of the best Test team in the world if England complete the win that secures that official rating. Yet he knows that even scoring his fourth Test ton would not guarantee his future place if, as expected, Trott is fit to return at The Oval.
Furthermore, with Leicestershire's James Taylor leading a pack of up-and-coming prospects like Alex Hales of Notts, Durham's Ben Stokes and Yorkshire's Johnny Bairstow, Bopara will do well to avoid the feeling that anything less than a significant score will see him slip out of the long-term planning.
— Daily Mail
