Opener Alastair Cook believes Essex team-mate Ravi Bopara is ready for another crack at Test cricket with England.

Bopara initially made his debut for England in Australia in 2007 as a one-day player, but his Test breakthrough in Sri Lanka last December was a chastening experience and he made only 42 runs in five innings from his three appearances - including three ducks.

However, Bopara has been recalled for the fourth Test against South Africa at The Oval in place of former skipper Michael Vaughan, and Cook said: "Ravi has earned the right to play. I think it (Sri Lanka tour) was a bit of a reality check regarding just how tough cricket can be. But he has gone back to Essex this summer and you can't argue with anything he has done."

Cook added: "He is one of the leading first-class run-scorers this season so he demands to be picked.

"He also got a double-hundred in a one-day game with Leicestershire. Not many people have done that, not even the great Graham Gooch."