ESSEX Cricket Club favourite Ravi Bopara has agreed a new two-year deal in a big boost to the county.

The Essex stalwart has been with Essex all his professional career, making his first class debut back in 2002 and he will now be staying with the county until at least the end of the 2017 season.

Bopara recorded his maiden county championship century in 2005 and has been a key component for the county side over all three formats of the game, with his big-hitting winning many admirers at the Essex County Ground.

Averaging well over 40 in both first-class and List A cricket, Bopara is also an accomplished bowler, taking an impressive 50 wickets in all competitions this year.

He made his England Limited Overs debut against Australia in February 2007, before going on to make his Test debut against Sri Lanka that winter. Ravi has played 13 Tests, 120 ODIs and 38 T20Is to date.

And Bopara is excited about the project new chairman Ronnie Irani has outlined for the county.

“I am happy to have signed a new contract,” he said. “The club is making some changes with Ronnie [Irani] on board. I’ve played a lot under Ronnie, I know him very well, and I’m trusting him to get things the way we all want here at Essex.

“We’re a team that should be competing and performing at a higher level than we are. I think we can achieve that with a couple of new signings and I’m confident that the Club will get that right.”

Bopara becomes the fourth player in recent weeks to commit to the club, following in the footsteps of one-day captain Ryan ten Doeschate, young bowler Aron Nijjar and established batsman Jaik Mickleburgh.