Awarded a professional contract in 2002 after topping the batting averages for the under-19 team the previous season. Handed his first-team debut in the same year, playing three Championship games. Gained more experience at senior level in 2003 before going to the ICC U-19 World Cup prior to the next campaign. Bopara showed that he can also contribute with his medium-pace bowling when he chipped in to good effect in one-day cricket, in particular, during the 2004 season. 2005 was his breakthrough year at first-class level when he was an ever-present in the Championship side. His first century in the four-day game arrived that June against Derbyshire at Chelmsford. Combined with his exploits in Essex’s totesport-League winning campaign, he was duly rewarded with his County Cap in September 2005.

Further recognition arrived when he was named in the ECB Academy squad and for the subsequent ‘A’ tour to West Indies (as a replacement for Alastair Cook). 2006 was another year of progression for the all-rounder as his performances at county level were enough to gain him a place in the ECB Academy once more. Such was the impression he made that a call-up to the England ODI squad followed in January 2007 when he was named as a replacement for Kevin Pietersen. Bopara’s ODI debut came in the next month when he helped England to a memorable victory over Australia in Sydney during the CB Series. More recognition arrived soon after when he was named in England’s squad for the World Cup finals in the West Indies during March and April. Such was Bopara’s contribution in the Caribbean – including a memorable half-century against Sri Lanka – that he returned home as one of the few plus points for England. Bopara’s rise continued unabated that summer when he scored 849 runs @ 60.64 in the Championship, played a manage role with both bat and ball in Essex’s progress to the Friends Provident Trophy semi-final and cemented his spot in the England ODI team despite injuries limiting his appearances. More recognition followed that winter when he made his Test debut – going on to feature in the remainder of the series as well – in Sri Lanka. Although his lack of runs saw him lose his place in the five-day team for the subsequent tour to New Zealand he did feature in both the winter ODI series (against Sri Lanka and New Zealand). Bopara’s selection for the MCC against Sussex at the start of the 2008 campaign will have served as a timely boost as the youngster aims to push on once more this summer.