Kings XI Punjab have secured the services of Ravi Bopara and he is one of the most exciting batsmen in England, I’ve been dying to see him in the England Test team and he's now got that chance.
I’ve been pushing him for some time, I played with him at Essex and he is a tremendous player. He can score quickly or he can be patient. In this form of the game you have to be explosive and he can do that.
He has got shots all around the wicket, he can play any shot from sweep, reverse sweep, hook shot and drive, he just looks magnificent when he’s batting.
What he also adds to that is he is a tremendous fielder, anywhere from slip to backward point and when he bowls, he just has that knack of taking wickets, he has that golden arm.
I’ve got big hopes for Ravi Bopara. I think he will do well for England, Essex and King XI.
For me his best position is in the middle order, although he can be used as an opening batsman.
Being over in South Africa will be a great experience for him, he will learn from being over there and be a better player for it.