Bopara set for return

Ravi Bopara is set to return to action for the first time since twice withdrawing from England duty due to "personal reasons".

The 27-year-old wrote on his Twitter page on Saturday morning that he would play for Essex in their Clydesdale Bank 40 match against the Netherlands at Colchester on Sunday.

"Looking forward to getting back to some cricket after a long time. Will be at colchester to play against Netherlands 2moro. #buzzing," he wrote.

Bopara pulled out of England's second Test squad to play South Africa at Headingley last month due to unspecified personal reasons.

The right-hander was due to return a week later for the England Lions but left the team on the morning of the match against Australia A at Old Trafford, saying he was not ready to return.

"I thought I was ready to return to action - but after some consideration, I just feel it's too early," he said. "So I won't be playing quite yet."

Sunday's match will be Bopara's first since he made a second-ball duck for Essex in a Twenty20 against Somerset on July 24.