Bopara scored his first one-day fifty in his fifth match

Nixon, 36, and Bopara, 21, came together at 133-6 in the 34th over, with 103 still needed to win.

But Nixon (42) and Bopara (52) gave England hope before Bopara was bowled with the final ball of the match.

"What Ravi did was exceptional, he's come into this environment and embraced it," said wicket-keeper Nixon.

"The talent he has got as a youngster is there for all to see, he backed his strengths at this level and that was excellent.

I've probably hit 20 sixes like that in county cricket - if I get my timing right, it's going to go out of the ground Paul Nixon on his reverse sweep for six

"There have been plenty of talented guys who have not played international cricket or not gone on to do well in international cricket, but he's got such a hunger for the game and he's very driven.

"His fielding was outstanding, he wanted the ball to come to him and that's the standard he's set now for the rest of his career."

Bopara needed three from the final ball for an unlikely England victory, but was bowled by Dilhara Fernando as England slumped to their second Super 8 defeat.

Nixon perished in the previous over after further justifying his selection with a typically-eccentric 44-ball knock.

England's 4,000 travelling supporters started to believe the win was on when, with 29 required from 15 balls, Nixon hit a reverse sweep off Muttiah Muralitharan for six.

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"I've probably hit 20 sixes like that in county cricket," said Leicestershire gloveman Nixon.

"I have two reverse sweep shots, one that I hit down and one where I change my grip and hit the ball up and I know if I get my timing right it's going to go out of the ground.

"A lot of the guys practice it in the nets, but it's about being confident enough and having the belief to execute it in a match situation.

"It was something I thought about doing a few overs earlier. I just wanted to get it to the wire before I took risks.

Next up in England's bid to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals is a crunch contest with Ashes rivals Australia in Antigua on Sunday.