England batting all-rounder Ravi Bopara will continue to play for Essex next season after signing a one-year contract extension with his sole county.
The 28-year-old, who made his senior Essex debut in 2002, was out of contract with the LV= County Championship Division Two club but has now committed until the end of the 2014 campaign.
Bopara remains a limited-overs regular for England, having played 94 one-day and 26 Twenty20 internationals, but has made just 13 Test appearances, the last of which was in July 2012.
"I am delighted to have signed a new contract with the club for a further year,” said Bopara, who is soon to play for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League having represented Prime Bank in Bangladesh's List A competition during October and November.
“I was pleased with how my season went in 2013 both domestically and internationally for Essex and England, respectively. I am now looking to continue this form into the new season with Essex where we can hopefully win some silverware."
Head coach Paul Grayson added: "Ravi has committed to a further year with the club and showed again last season why he is such an important and valuable player for us.
“We know that one of his key aims is to be playing international cricket with England but when he's in an Essex shirt, he has shown what a devastating player he can be.
"He will of course continue to be a key member of the team next year and I hope he will carry on his form across all formats of the game."