Date:07/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/07/stories/2008050756121800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Bopara reveals he rejected IPL offer

London: England all-rounder Ravi Bopara has revealed that he was offered a contract by an Indian Premier League franchisee to play in the lucrative Twenty20 tournament but rejected it to cement his place in the National side.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) does not allow its centrally-contracted players to play in the IPL and Hampshire skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas is England’s only representative in the BCCI-backed tournament.

Bopara, who is not centrally contracted to ECB just like Marcarenhas, said he wanted to look out for an England call up this summer by doing well for Essex instead of playing in India. “Of course when figures like these are put in front of you it is tempting, but my goal is to play regularly for England,” said Bopara — PTI