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We're all playing well, purrs Bopara
Ravi Bopara believes England will approach the opening Ashes Test with confidence after drawing their practice match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston yesterday.
The Essex batsman hit his fourth century in as many first-class matches for England this year to help ensure nearly all their top order scored runs in the three-day encounter.
Bopara retired out on 104 in a rain-affected encounter on the final day, having hit 13 fours and a six, and both Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior hit unbeaten half-centuries before England declared 507 runs ahead on
319-3.
England also reduced Warwickshire to 27-3 before the two sides shook hands with a potential 17 overs remaining.
Bopara believes they got as much as they could have hoped for from the match before they transfer to Cardiff for Wednesday's opening Test.
"Everyone is pretty relaxed and everyone is playing well," he enthused. "The way our bowlers played here gives them confidence and gives the batters confidence.
"We coped well on this sort of deck and we are very relaxed. Everyone seems chilled but working really hard.
"Everyone has been in the nets and in the gym getting ready in every possible way – whether it is strength, fitness or technique – so we are ready for Wednesday."
Only Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, who batted only once during the match, failed to reach a half-century from the top seven likely to start next week's Test.
England's squad will be announced by national selector Geoff Miller tomorrow morning and will assemble in Cardiff that evening before two days of practice.
Bopara added: "I'm not one choosing the team but I think every player will prepare as if they are going to play because the last thing you want to do is rock up on Wednesday and be surprised when they pick the team. You want to go into the match used to the idea (that you are playing)."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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