Bopara joins Dolphins for T20

Despite being overlooked by England, Ravi Bopara has continued to keep himself busy by signing with South Africa franchise Dolphins for their Twenty20 campaign to follow his current stint in the BPL.

Bopara previously played for Dolphins during the 2010-11 season and helped them reach the semi-finals of the 40-over competition by scoring 336 runs at 42 and claiming 15 wickets at 20.86.

Dolphins hope he will be able to make his first appearance in their opening match against Titans on February 15, although that might depend on how his BPL franchise, Chittagong Kings, progress in that event.

"I am delighted to be joining up with the Dolphins," Bopara said. "Having played out in South Africa before I know the cricket is of the highest standard and I will be doing everything to make sure the Dolphins have a great tournament."

Bopara has not played for England since the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last September. After a promising run of form in the middle of the 2012 home season he had a difficult end to the year after personal problems forced him to withdraw from the Test squad against South Africa.

He played in the following one-day series and although he bowled impressively his batting faded badly with scores of 16, 0, 6 and 0. His form for Chittagong Kings has not been outstanding with 101 runs in seven innings.