Bopara feeling the heat

Bopara has struggled at number three and his misery has been compounded in the current fourth Test at Headingley, where he has managed only one run in two innings as England crash towards defeat.

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Bopara said: "There is no disguising the pressure I am under and there is nowhere to hide because, in such a massively high-profile series as this and against opponents of the quality of Australia, you have to front up every single day."

He added: "It is up to me. No one else can do the batting for me. Just as important for me now is my thinking and my approach. When you are searching for a bit of form, the main danger for a player like me, who likes to go for his shots, is that I might start slipping into survival mode.

"I've been guilty of doing that in the past, both in county cricket and when I had that terrible time on my first England tour in Sri Lanka, and it just doesn't work.

"If I am given the opportunity at The Brit Oval to respond to my scores of one and a first-ball duck here at Leeds, whatever else I do to break out of this trot, I must remain positive and look to score at every opportunity."

Bopara showed his frustration at the lbw decision that sent him back to the pavilion first ball on Saturday after he clearly got bat on ball, but he refused to criticise the officials.

He continued: "I wouldn't say I've been blessed with good fortune over a couple of umpiring decisions, but I've no complaints. Stuff happens when things aren't going your way.

"I have to admit I'm finding it pretty difficult to see the positives at the moment. But I'll try to keep smiling and keep enjoying my first taste of the Ashes," added Bopara.