Ravi Bopara is relishing his role as England's utility man as he attempts to make the huge leap from the Academy to becoming a key member of their World Cup line-up.

The 21-year-old Essex all-rounder is almost like a player from a previous era, the type of bits-and-pieces cricketer who has been discarded by England in favour of specialists.

But Bopara's talents as a useful middle order stroke-player, swing bowler and energetic fielder have found support from coach Duncan Fletcher and captain Michael Vaughan to such an extent he has featured in their last two World Cup outings.

Selected primarily as cover within the squad for the tournament after impressing Vaughan at the Academy in Australia, Bopara was expected to be nothing more than a reserve who could fill in if all-rounders Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff were injured.

He got his chance when Flintoff was dropped against Canada and contributed enough to retain his spot at the expense of Jamie Dalrymple for Saturday's win over Kenya, which sealed England's place in the last eight.

''I just came out to the World Cup and prepared as if I was going to play,'' said Bopara.

''My training has been geared up to playing and what I'm going to be doing in the matches so, when I got my opportunity, I wasn't too fazed.

''I didn't think too much about keeping my place, I just wanted to do my bit for the team.

''Replacing Freddie is a big ask because he's a great player, so I just went out and did the best I could.''

Bopara's World Cup debut was impressive, hammering 29 off 30 balls to help England to a competitive total against Canada then claiming two for 43 to ensure he was selected for England's final Group C match.

He played a lesser role against Kenya, but it was further evidence that England had uncovered a player similar to those discarded in the past, such as Adam Hollioake, Mark Ealham and Ronnie Irani.

They have since tried to marry together the Test and one-day line-ups as much as possible, but Bopara has proved it is possible to change that thinking.

''I see myself mainly as a batsman, but I've been working hard on my bowling over the last couple of years and it's coming along,'' he said.

''It can be very hard work on your body and mentally as well and I've been working hard on that with Jeremy Snape when he was out here.

''But I do enjoy bowling, it's great fun. Getting a wicket is more rewarding than getting 50 or 60 runs, although it's not as good as getting a century.

''Sometimes, you don't have to work that hard for a wicket because you get one in your first over after coming on.

"But normally you have to work really hard for one, which is why it feels so good when it happens.''

His domestic record still suggests that Bopara, who made his debut for Essex as a 17-year-old back in 2002, is a stronger batsman than bowler as he boasts a first-class average of 34 and a bowling average of 49.

He remains convinced, however, that the advice given to him by then-Essex coach Graham Gooch early in his career to work hard at his bowling may be the key to his longevity at international level.