THE ONLY WAY IS ESSEX SAYS BOPARA

RAVI BOPARA believes Essex can go on to dominate the domestic game for years to come after their fairytale County Championship title win.

The former England batsman was part of the team that secured the club’s first Championship triumph in 25 years — just 12 months after they were promoted to the top flight. Now Bopara thinks this group of players can deliver a sustained period of success to match the previous eras of club legends Graham Gooch and Keith Fletcher, who led Essex to six Championship titles between 1979 and 1992.

“I want us to go on and create a new dynasty,” Bopara said. “I would love that. To create an era now for the next four or five years would be brilliant.”

Essex are famed for their ability to keep churning out top-class talent. Bopara, Alastair Cook, Tom Westley and James Foster are all members of the current squad who have gone on to play for England.

And in opener Nick Browne, middle-order batsman Dan Lawrence and seamer Jamie Porter, this season’s leading wicket-taker in the Championship, there are three more home-grown players who could represent their country in the near future.

“Those guys are definitely playing for England,” said Bopara.