Bopara pens fresh Essex deal

Ravi Bopara has signed a two-year contract extension with Essex after long negotiations, partly over an IPL compensation package

Ravi Bopara has committed his future to Essex by signing a new two-year contract with the club.

Essex last month revealed the England batsman, who has been playing for KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins in South Africa, was on the verge of agreeing new terms.

Negotiations over the 25-year-old’s contract were complicated by issues such as a compensation package for his involvement with Indian Premier League team Kings XI Punjab.

Bopara, who has 10 Test, 54 one-day and 11 Twenty20 international caps, will play alongside the returning Scott Styris and new arrival Owais Shah at Chelmsford.

Essex head coach Paul Grayson said: “The signing of Ravi’s contract has been an ongoing problem throughout the close season due to a number of factors such as his compensation package with IPL being resolved and of course Ravi currently playing cricket over in South Africa.

“The signing of the contract was never in doubt, but it was something that just took time.

“Ravi is a massive player for us in all formats of the game and he is determined to help us win back promotion from LV= County Championship Division Two.

“He is a very popular member of the team and is the best signing we could have made for the upcoming 2011 season.

“We have now made three very good signings for next season with Owais Shah, Scott Styris and now Ravi Bopara.

"So the future is looking very bright for Essex Cricket and we are looking forward to the start of the season in April.”