RAVI BOPARA is hoping to maintain his fine recent form for the rest of Essex Eagles' Friends Life t20 campaign after his man of the match display against Kent.
The England all-rounder was joint top scorer with 39 as the Eagles posted 180-8 in Monday night's clash at Chelmsford.
And he then followed that up with three wickets to help skittle the visitors out for 118 in reply.
It follows on from an excellent start to the international one-day season, where Bopara helped England reach the Champions Trophy final and almost inspired a T20 win against New Zealand.
"I'm feeling good with the ball and bat at the moment," he said. "I'm keeping things very simple and just backing myself. The Champions Trophy has given me quite a lot of confidence.
"It was important that I came into this competition in form because T20 is a tough game. If you get behind the rate and you're not feeling good about yourself, it can be a very long month.
"It's important that you start well, I've started well and hopefully it can carry on.
"We've got a very good chance, you've seen our team, you've seen the way we've performed, we've put a lot of runs on the board in all games and we've beaten Kent by a long way.
"In T20 cricket, winning a game by ten runs is a big win and over the last couple of days we've just shown how strong we are."
Bopara, who was due to have a scan on a side strain on Tuesday and could miss Friday night's home game with Middlesex, was delighted with the win over Kent, but admits the week ahead is going to be tricky for his side.
After the game with the Panthers, Sussex arrive on Sunday before a trip to the Oval to face in-form Surrey awaits on Monday night.
And Bopara added: "They're all good sides.
"Even Kent are a good side, there's not much in it in T20 cricket and it only takes one over to change the whole course of the game.
"It's always close, the smaller they are, the closer the games are – it doesn't matter who the teams are or what sides you're playing, it's always been a close game.
"This was a very good win, ideal for Chelmsford and the fans here because they love it when we win here.
"It's always a good atmosphere here. We've got a strong crowd who always back us and they didn't fail to impress."
Bopara was named as Essex's captain for the recent LV> Challenge game against England at Chelmsford, and he admits that was a great honour – and a game in which he enjoyed being given the chance to impress.
"I love captaining Essex," he added. "It's one of the things I've always wanted to do since I was quite young, and to get the opportunity to do it against England is an honour.
"I got in during the second innings, had a bit of a bat.
"Batting for an hour there has helped, just lining up the ball and it's helped me come into form for the T20."
The much-anticipated Ashes series begins at Trent Bridge today, and Bopara has not given up hope of forcing himself back into the Test reckoning.
When Australia last visited in 2009, Bopara was in the Test side, and coach Paul Grayson said last month that he believes the 28-year-old can get into the frame.
And Bopara said: "My ambition is to play for England in all forms of cricket, I think that should be any young lad's ambition and it will be until the day I retire."
In the recent T20 with New Zealand, the crowd could be heard chanting Bopara's name to the tune of the White Stripes' Seven Nation Army, and he admits that it was a moment to cherish.
He added: "That was pretty good, actually it's one of my most memorable moments on a cricket field.
"We didn't go on to win, but I really enjoyed that day and thanks to those supporters."
