Bopara is not certain to play in England's World Cup team next year

England batsman Ravi Bopara will play for KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins this winter as he looks to win a place in England's squad for the World Cup next spring.

Bopara, 25, will play in two first-class matches and South Africa's domestic limited-overs series, which runs from 29 October to 10 December.

The Essex player was left out of England's Ashes party, and is not in the performance programme squad either.

But he has played in 54 one-day internationals, and four this year.

Chief executive of KZN cricket Jesse Chellan said: "We were looking for an experienced player who could add value.

"Ravi was keen to play in South Africa and we knew he would want to prepare well ahead of the limited-overs leg of England's tour to Australia."

Bopara is by no means a certain starter in a first-choice England one-day side, and holds a disappointing average of 28.50. He did, however, produce some strong performances for Essex during the summer.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen will play two first-class matches for the Durban-based franchise to get match practice before the Ashes series.

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