Ravi Bopara reflects on his England recall at the Asian Cricket Awards
Ravi Bopara is not content just to be back in the England one-day set-up. He wants "to be one of the best players in that England side".
Bopara, a veteran of 108 one-day internationals, was left out of the Royal London One-Day Series against India and it has made him hungrier than ever to make a contribution after he was recalled to travel to Sri Lanka for seven one-day internationals.
Speaking exclusively to ecb.co.uk, the Essex all-rounder said:“I’m very happy to be back but that’s not my goal - just to be back.
“I want to get back in that team and make some real contributions to winning for England. I want to be one of the best players in that England side. That’s my ambition."
Bopara, whose last ODI was versus Sri Lanka in early June, added: “You’re always on that platform to stake that claim and make the next squad but for me its all about winning; that’s all that counts.”
With much of the focus now on the World Cup, due to take place in Australia and New Zealand in early 2015, Bopara thinks the winter preparation will be a help to the England side who also have a triangular series in Australia in the new year.
“It’s a good lead-up to the World Cup and that’s what you need - just playing white-ball cricket," he added.
“The World Cup isn’t the be all and end all of everything though. There’s cricket after the World Cup as well so we’ve got to focus on the long-term plan and make sure we nail it.”
Bopara was speaking at the inaugural Asian Cricket Awards where Moeen Ali took home the professional player of the year title, which his international team-mate was delighted to see.
“He’s a brilliant cricketer; he’s always had that talent growing up. I saw him when he was quite young and we played together when we were younger," Bopara said.
“We’ve known each other for quite a long time. Its brilliant to see that talent coming through.”