Ravi Bopara leaves Sussex with T20 Blast deal not renewed

The 38-year-old, who made 108 against Kent in his penultimate match for the county, was told by head coach Paul Farbrace last week that he would not be kept on

Ravi Bopara has left Sussex after the county's T20 captain was informed that he would not be offered a new contract for 2024.

The 38-year-old, who made 108 against Kent – his second T20 century, 13 years after his first – in his penultimate match for the county, was told by head coach Paul Farbrace last week that he would not be kept on.

Bopara joined Sussex from Essex at the end of the 2019 campaign and reached Blast Finals Day two years later with a Sussex side at the end of its cycle, with several T20 specialists moving on in the aftermath.

The former England allrounder stayed on and was named as Sussex's captain in the shortest format, overseeing a far less experienced squad.

Bopara, who warmed up for Sussex's T20 campaign by smashing 144 in a total of 324 for 7 against Middlesex's second team, called the decision to let him go "very disappointing… particularly so after a very good season with bat and ball".

The veteran was Sussex's leading run-scorer in the 2023 Blast, with Sussex finishing sixth – four points off a quarter-final spot.

^{Bopara joined Sussex from Essex in 2019 (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)}

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

"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 am now really looking forward to my next playing opportunity as I have a great deal more to offer to the game as a player."

Farbrace said: "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 previously spoken of his intention to keep playing for as long as possible, signed up on Monday to represent Joburg Buffalos in the ZimAfro T10 tournament.

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