Bopara signs contract extension with Essex

Ravi Bopara has signed a oneyear contract extension with Essex that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.

The 33-year-old is now the longest-serving player at the club, following the retirement of club stalwart James Foster at the end of last season, having made his debut in 2002.

Bopara, who has played in 13 Tests, 120 One-Day Internationals and 38 T20 Internationals for England is thrilled to have extended his stay at the Cloudfm County Ground.

“I’m glad to have signed a new one-year deal with Essex County Cricket Club. I’m excited for the upcoming season, which will be my 18th year with the Club and at 33, I still have plenty of years left,” Bopara told the club’s official website.

“We had a good campaign in the County Championship last year, but know we can do better. We have a good blend of youth and experience in the dressing room and the depth to challenge for the title, so that’s our goal for next season.”

The all-rounder was Essex’s top run-scorer in the County Championship as the club attempted to defend their Division One title.

Those displays, as well as his contribution across all formats, underlined Bopara’s continued importance to the club.

Head coach Anthony McGrath added: “Ravi is an integral part of team and will have a big role to play for us next year.

“He’s a local lad and has a wealth of cricketing experience, making him a great figure to have in the dressing room.”

Meanwhile, Daniel BellDrummond is “delighted” to commit his future to Kent after he signed a three-year contract extension with the county. The 25-year-old batsman has been at the county since the age of seven and the new deal will keep him in Canterbury until the end of the 2021 season.

Kent had a successful 2018, securing promotion to Division One of the County Championship and also reaching the Royal London One-Day Cup final at Lord’s.

Bell-Drummond told the club website: “It’s a great time to be a Kent cricketer at the moment. Our strong performances this season across all three formats show that we have a squad that can achieve great things.”