RAVI Bopara believes the Ageas Bowl wicket will play into England’s favour in the first one-day international against the West Indies.

Hampshire’s home ground will host the opening game of the three-match series tomorrow, with Bopara giving it the seal of approval.

“It’s a very good track,” he said. “By memory, the ball comes on quite nicely here. It’s one of the quicker tracks I think in one-day cricket in England.

“I think that will suit us, definitely, with our bowlers and our batters as well. We like the ball coming on, and skidding on.”

Bopara, who is expected to bat number four for England, certainly has fond memories of the ground.

He blasted an unbeaten 94 off 65 balls for Essex in a t20 game there in 2010, while last year he scored 48 off 41 balls in the same competition.

He does have one gripe with the place, though.

“It’s a long way down to the ground from the changing rooms,” he said, laughing. “Put it this way, it’s a long way for a nought.”

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