ESSEX can become a great' one-day side if they can win the Pro40 League for the third year running, says all-rounder Ravinder Bopara.

The 22-year-old was a major player in the county's back-to-back title wins in 2005 and 2006 - scoring 419 runs and taking 15 wickets and eight catches - and plans to be just as influential this time around.

"We want to win the Pro40 again this year," said the bullish young England star, who saw Essex's opening match in the competition at Lancashire washed out on Sunday.

"We have got a reputation as being the best one-day side in the country.

"Winning anything once could be considered to be lucky, but twice makes you a good side and three times would make us a great team.

"We want to become a great team this year. We're going to come hard at the Pro40 and we're going to enjoy it."