GETTING his place back in England's Test side, securing promotion to LV County Championship Division One and ending the season as Essex's leading run-scorer.

Ravi Bopara's pre-season aims are not exactly what you would call modest.

But then, nor is the precociously talented all-rounder.

Just seven months ago, the 22-year-old had the cricketing world at his feet.

Having excelled at the ICC World Cup, Bopara's fine innings of 43 not out led England to a thrilling three-wicket victory over India at Old Trafford.

However, after being picked for the winter tour of Sri Lanka, things started to go wrong for the Newham-born player, who failed miserably on the sub-continent and was dropped for the three-Test trip to New Zealand.

That huge disappointment left Bopara with plenty of time to both reflect and work on his game with Essex batting coach and England legend Graham Gooch.

"Every season is a big season but in terms of getting back into the England squad it is a massive season," he told the Echo.

"The first month is going to be crucial because scoring heavy is going to be a massive push for me.

"Being left out of the Test side is always hard as nobody likes to be left out of any side, but it gave me time to go away and reflect and work on things.

"I've done that. I went away with Goochie and now I just want to get out there and play games and my season starts in a couple of days with the MCC game."

That MCC game, which starts tomorrow, will see Bopara and Essex colleague James Foster line-up against county champions Sussex at Lord's.

And the Forest Gate-born star believes the match will be the perfect stage to begin his quest to re-claim his place in England's Test squad.

"My England memories motivated me a lot," he admitted.

"It was not a great winter for me personally but only last season I was at Old Trafford winning the game (against India) with (Stuart) Broady and at the World Cup.

"I'm always confident in my game. Everyone goes through low points, but what's important is how I come out of it.

"I'm excited about the MCC game. It's a nice opportunity for me to impress for the games coming up."

Once that match is over, Bopara will return to the Ford County Ground for Essex's championship opener against Northants on April 16.

And the youngster nicknamed "Puppy" will hope to show his pedigree by scoring more runs than any other Essex batsman this summer.

"We've obviously set out our goals and one of my goals was to be the top run-scorer for Essex," he stated with typical intent.

"If I get called on England duties, that will obviously change, but my aim is to be the heaviest run-scorer for Essex."