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Essex batsman Alastair Cook has earned a recall to the England one-day squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies.

The 22-year-old left-hander made his first two international appearances in limited overs cricket during the NatWest Series against Sri Lanka last summer when he scored 80 runs at an average of 40.

Cook has now been given another opportunity when England take on their Caribbean opponents in the NatWest International Twenty20 series on June 28 and 29 and the NatWest Series from July 1 to July 7.

He has made an outstanding start to the 2007 season with six centuries to his name already, including an eye-catching 125 against Surrey Brown Caps at one-day level in the Friends Provident Trophy at Whitgift School at the start of June.

Essex Captain Ronnie Irani spoke to the Essex CCC website (www.essexcricket.org.uk) of his delight at his young team-mate’s selection:

“This is fantastic news and a deserved reward for his fine form. I’m sure he can do a great job at the top of the order.

“I would personally have liked him to have been picked as Captain (Paul Collingwood was today named as the new England ODI skipper) to allow him to make a natural progression into the role in all forms of the game with England. But first things first it is a great effort to get into the squad and I can see him producing big things in all formats.”

Having featured in the fourth Test against the West Indies at the Riverside Cook will be rested from Essex’s Twenty20 Cup group games on June 22 against Sussex Sharks and June 23 against Kent Spitfires.

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Essex all-rounder Ravinder Bopara made his mark on his One-Day International debut to help England to victory over Australia in Sydney on Friday.

Bopara made seven not out off five balls with the bat as he came in down the order at number eight in England’s total of 292-7 during their latest CB Series match.

The 21-year-old’s biggest impact came with the ball as he claimed the key wicket of Michael Hussey in a spell of 4-0-19-1. Added to a typically competent fielding display, the Essex youngster acquitted himself well as England won by 92 runs.

Bopara said after the game:

“It’s a great feeling to get a couple of overs under my belt and a wicket – especially as it was Michael Hussey, a dangerous batsman. The atmosphere was awesome and when you play against the best in the world you can only learn and get better.”

Speaking to the Essex CCC website, Essex Captain Ronnie Irani was delighted, but not surprised, by Bopara’s immediate success:

“I’m proud of Ravi. I remember seeing him as a 14-year-old here at Essex and I’m pleased he’s finally been given this chance by England because he won’t let them down, just like (Essex team-mate) Alastair Cook. I am sure he could do better than the players currently performing but he just needs to be given a chance.”

Bopara’s appearance in Sydney made him the 12th Essex player to represent England at ODI level while with the County.

The Newham-born cricketer is now hoping to keep his place for England’s final group match in the CB Series against New Zealand in Brisbane on Tuesday.

Essex players to have represented England in One-Day Internationals (caps won as an Essex player):

Graham Gooch – 125
Nasser Hussain – 88
Neil Foster – 45
Derek Pringle – 44
Darren Gough - 37
Ronnie Irani – 31
Keith Fletcher – 24
John Lever – 22
James Foster – 11
Paul Grayson – 2
Alastair Cook – 2
Ravinder Bopara - 1

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Due to excess demand, Warwickshire CCC have brought in an extra stand for the NatWest One Day International England v Pakistan on Sunday 10th September.

There are an extra 800 seats which will go on sale over the phones today. They are priced at £55 with a maximum order of 4 per person. There are no junior tickets within this allocation.

To book tickets please call 0870 062 1902 when the phone lines open at 9.30a.m this morning.

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