Northants re-sign all-rounder Bopara for 2025 Blast

Ravi Bopara made 171 appearances for England in all formats between 2007 and 2015

Northamptonshire have re-signed veteran former England, Essex and Sussex all-rounder Ravi Bopara for next summer's T20 Blast.

The 39-year-old scored 340 runs and took 13 wickets in the competition in 2024 but was forced to miss the Steelbacks' quarter-final defeat by Somerset because of a hand injury.

Bopara, who won the Blast in 2019 with Essex, is approaching 9,500 runs in 478 T20 matches and needs nine more wickets to reach 300 in the format.

"I'm very excited to be coming back to Northamptonshire in 2025," he said.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time there this year. It's a very good squad - hopefully we can go that step further than last year and make it to Finals Day."

Northamptonshire chief executive Ray Payne said Bopara played a "very important" role for the club last summer and welcomed his return to Wantage Road.

"He has so much experience in the game and we're looking forward to him playing a big part in helping the squad challenge for silverware next season," added Payne.

Northants will be under the leadership of Darren Lehman in 2025 after the former Australia batter and head coach signed a two-year contract to replace John Sadler.