05 May,2009 01:28 PM IST | | PTI
Having earned his place back in the Test squad, England batsman Ravi Bopara is now hoping to use his Indian Premier League experience in the upcoming two-Test series against the West Indies starting tomorrow.
Bopara, who slammed 84 to fashion Kings XI Punjab's win over Bangalore Royal Challengers, said his IPL stint gave him the opportunity to play alongside some of the world's best batsmen and provided him with adequate practice.
"The learning experience is amazing. I spoke a lot to Kumar Sangakkara and Yuvraj Singh. The Sri Lankans never panic and Yuvraj spoke to me a lot about death hitting. Hopefully I can put that into practice," Bopara told the 'BBC'.
"I know we are preparing for a Test match but I will still be practising my one-day stuff because cricket is all about scoring runs, no matter how you score them," he added.
The Essex all-rounder scored 104 in his only Test appearance during England's tour of the West Indies earlier this year and Bopara is hoping for an encore to secure a place in England's Ashes squad.
"If I get runs there is a chance for me to bat at number three in the Ashes as well," said Bopara.
"It is nice to know my opportunity is here again." Bopara's maiden Test century in the fourth Test convinced the selectors to include him ahead of Ian Bell, Michael Vaughan and Owais Shah.
