Bopara IS England's number 3

What a pleasure it was to see Ravi Bopara hit his maiden Test century on the first day of the English summer. With it, he has answered a question which has been around all winter, and which threatened to continue into the summer: who will be England’s number three for the Ashes?

Given his chance somewhat unexpectedly, Bopara took full advantage. He showed all the qualities required of a number three batsman. He came to the crease in the seventh over, to face two quick bowlers and a shiny new ball. He patiently built a partnership with the remaining opener, before seeing two wickets in two balls, followed quickly by another. Through the carnage, he kept a cool head, stuck to his game, and – most importantly – stayed at the crease. He also had a bit of luck, of course: but he made the most of being dropped. When Michael Vaughan scored all those runs in Australia in 2002/03, he was dropped on several occasions. He made the most of those opportunities, just as Bopara did today.

The obvious comparison to make is with Vaughan, who famously stood at the crease on debut in Johannesburg while around him hugely experienced team-mates crumbled on their way to 2-4. He stayed calm there, and, while the crisis was not of that magnitude, Bopara exuded the same sort of calm and focus.

He has also achieved in his first outing at three what Ian Bell, his predecessor, never did: he made a century before someone else did first. The talent was always there for Bell – as it clearly is for Bopara – but he lacked the mentality to be an effective Test number three. If and when Bell returns to the team, it has to be in the middle order.

A great Test number three needs to be calm, but he also needs to be confident. Bopara has confidence in spades. His cheeky writing-on-the-honours-board celebration showed that, as well as his innings.