Time away from coaches doing things on my own saved my career, says Bopara

LONDON - England batsman Ravi Bopara believes that getting away from the English coaching system to New Zealand was the best thing that he could have done after his international career stalled last year.

Bopara was dropped from England’s Test and ODI sides after he lost his way during the series against Australia.

His response was to play domestic cricket in New Zealand with Auckland, and after helping England win the Twenty20 World Cup, he is back in the ODI squad for the ongoing five-match series against Pakistan.

“The move I made to Auckland was very good for my game, and me as a person. I had time to myself, away from everybody and all the coaches. I loved being away, and doing things on my own,” The Daily Express quoted Bopara, as saying.

“I’ve never really liked too much advice, or too many people having their input. I take advice, but prefer to work things out for myself,” he added.

Bopara also feels that Kevin Pietersen, who has been dropped from the squad for the Pakistan series, will benefit from his time with KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

“I think Kevin is the same sort of person and I think him going away to Natal will be a great move for him and for English cricket,” Bopara said.

“You can get very hard on yourself when you do get dropped. You try everything, get in the nets, try to do everything right. The only thing you are doing wrong is being a little bit too desperate,” he added. (ANI)