Ravi Bopara released by Sussex

Sussex have announced that former England allrounder Ravi Bopara will leave the club after not being offered a contract extension.

Bopara joined from Essex on a white-ball contract at the end of 2019 and captained Sussex's T20 side for the last two seasons. At the start of the summer, new head coach Paul Farbrace targeted a place at Finals Day, but Sussex eventually finished sixth in the South Group, missing out on the quarter-finals.

Bopara, 38, enjoyed his best Blast season since 2014, scoring 408 runs at a strike rate of 146.23 and recording a career-best 108 against Kent. He did, however, have to sit out Sussex's trip to the Ageas Bowl after arriving after the start time.

He indicated that he would be looking for a new county, "as I have a great deal more to offer to the game as a player".

Farbrace said: "I have enjoyed working with Ravi this summer in the T20 Blast competition and of course wish him well as he moves on to new opportunities. He has played some excellent cricket for Sussex this year, including a superb hundred at Canterbury last week.

"Ravi has helped our young players with their development over the last couple of years that he has spent at Hove and we will miss his personality and experience at the club."

Bopara has played 452 games of T20, putting him sixth on the all-time list, and is part of the London Spirit squad for the Hundred, which begins next month.

"It was very disappointing to be told by Paul Farbrace last week that there was not to be an extension of my contract at the club," he said. "This is particularly so after a very good season with bat and ball. Having said that, I've loved my time at Sussex.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with young players in the 2nd XI T20 matches and seeing some of the boys progress to the 1st team. Seeing that progression and development has been incredibly satisfying.

"It's been an absolute honour to have captained the 1st team in the T20 Blast and seeing the potential of our young team of players come through and finish the back end of the tournament strong has highlighted the progress we have made.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the players and staff who have helped me become a better cricketer and person and all the members and fans for their loyal support throughout the years. I now really looking forward to my next playing opportunity as I have a great deal more to offer to the game as a player."