Bopara wants to be England hero by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	RS Bopara
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 11th September 2009

 

Ravi Bopara notions of selfishness as England attempt to get a foothold in the ODI Series against Australia.

 

Bopara's own struggle with the bat have been representative of the team's failing as too few batsmen are turning in match-shaping innings.

 

Six times in his 11 one-day international appearances this year he has fallen between 35 and 49, his top score.

 

But he refused to concentrate on his individual problem as the side needs to win four in a row to win the limited-overs campaign.

 

"It is important to do whatever is right for the team - whatever makes the boat go fast," Bopara said. "What you are trying to do is win a game for England.

 

"There is absolutely no point me going out and getting a hundred if we lose. It does me no favours. If I get runs I want it to help England win. Winning is everything.

 

"Personally I want to go out and get a big one and win games for England.

 

"I don't want to get scores that just do enough to give England a chance to win, I want to go out and seal the win for England.

 

"That is my ambition and I am desperate to do that. Not over-desperate because that's when things can go wrong, but I want to be the main man for England."

 

Bopara did not do anything special in his maiden Ashes series despite entering it on the back of three consecutive Test hundreds. The right-hander could only compile 105 runs in four outings, not helped by a couple of poor decisions.

 

"I know form does take a dip now and then but I don't doubt my ability.

 

"I know I can play, otherwise I wouldn't be playing for England and I would never have got a look in.

 

"It is just a case of getting my game in order. There is a lot to come from me yet.

 

"Just when you think you have nailed your game down there is something more you can learn.

 

"There is a point where you think 'surely if I just do this for the rest of my career I'll do very well and do a great job for England'.

 

"But things change and people look at your game and target you in certain places and you have to change again.

 

"That is stuff you have to do as an international cricketer and that's what I'm learning."