ALL-rounder Ravi Bopara has spelt out his determination not to become the “forgotten man” of English cricket.

Bopara shot to prominence during the first half of 2009 by becoming only the fifth player to score three centuries in successive Tests for England – all against the West Indies.

It earned the Essex player the number three spot in the side for the Ashes and he warmed up for that series with a 100 for his country against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. But, although England won 2-1 against their long standing Test rivals, Bopara endured a miserable time personally with scores of 35, 1, 18, 27, 23, 1 and 0 and he was axed for the decider at The Oval.

He kept his place in the one-day squad for the ICC Trophy but his appearance in that competition against New Zealand last September was his last to date at full international level.

“I was a little bit disappointed to be left out of the last Test but that’s the way cricket is. There are good players all around you fighting for a spot and I lost mine.

“Now it is time for me to get it back. I want to get back into the England side.”