Bopara shows what England will miss

Ravi Bopara answered the disappointment of being left out of England's Test Match squad in the best possible way on Sunday with a run a-ball 101 and 2 for 43 to help Essex beat Ireland. If he can continue in this fashion then it will only take an injury or two and he will be drafted into the England side later in the series.

Meanwhile Matt Prior didn't shy away from the fact that Moores has guided his career from the age of 12. "It's the perfect scenario. I will be playing at Lord's, the home of cricket, and Mooresy is going to be in the dressing-room with me."

All England fans will be hoping that Prior can rise above his relatively poor county form and show enough ability with the bat to be considered a batsman as well as a keeper.