Ravi Bopara: I've done enough to warrant England T20 place
Tuesday 16 February 2016 17:49, UK
Ravi Bopara has not given up hope of forcing his way back into England's plans despite missing out on selection for the ICC World T20.
All-rounder Bopara believes Eoin Morgan's men will be successful at the tournament under the guidance of head coach Trevor Bayliss, who he worked with during a stint in the Big Bash League for the Sydney Sixers.
"England have a very good chance," said Bopara, currently leading run-scorer in the Pakistan Super League, where he is representing Karachi Kings.
"The conditions will suit our batsmen, as despite it being in India, I don't think you'll get too much turn, especially once the floodlights come on.
"As the pitches get a bit more tired they may turn a bit more, but certainly at the start of the tournament, England should be able to start guns-a-blazing, and be in a good space.
"I can't be 100 per cent sure, but I think Bayliss has brought a really relaxed attitude to the group. I know that while I worked with him in the BBL, he was really chilled.
"It's nice to have that, especially on the international stage where there is enough stress already, having someone there who is smiling and takes pressure off is helpful.
"In the recent past we haven't really had that. Previously it has been about always being switched on, and that's not possible. You can't take it too seriously at times, as often when you do, that's when you suddenly find it becomes hard work.
"I'd love to be in the squad. I think I have justified myself as a good T20 cricketer in England in the recent past and feel I have done enough to warrant a place.
"It's not going to be easy to get back in but I'm not giving up though. I have plenty of years left in me, I'm only 30 years old."
Bopara hopes he might be able to add some experience to England's youthful-looking squad at some point, having viewed that as one of the key factors in England's World T20 win in 2010, a tournament he was a part of.
He said: "You look at most successful sides in the past, it's usually experience that wins you games, and tournaments.
"We had a lot of players in good form in 2010, at the peak of their careers some of them, and it helped see us through some tough situations. It was a strong side.
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"It felt different to other tournaments I've been involved in. In the past we've been guilty of picking players who were still a bit too young or inexperienced going into big competitions.
"You need guys who know already what they're doing day in, day out. That's what we had in that squad, the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Graeme Swann, Ryan Sidebottom - a very experienced campaigner - these are the guys who won the tournament for us.
"It's key for our young cricketers to get as much exposure to T20 cricket all around the world to gain that experience, and that's what's starting to happen in the BBL and IPL.
"You get an understanding of high-pressure, tournament cricket, and how it works. The more games they play, the better they will become."
Watch the first Twenty20 international between South Africa and England live on Sky Sports 2 this Friday from 3.30pm.
Before then, do not miss South Africa Women take on England Women in their second T20 from 11.25am on Friday, also on Sky Sports 2.
