Special knock by Bopara - Foster

Bopara's innings at Grace Road included ten sixes (Getty)

Essex wicket-keeper James Foster has hailed Ravi Bopara's double century against Leicestershire on Wednesday.

Foster shared a fifth-wicket 190-run stand with Bopara, who went on to score a club record 201 not-out.

"From ball one he struck the ball ridiculously cleanly, even the umpires were saying from the start that he was looking good," Foster told BBC Essex.

"It was just a joy to watch, he just absolutely smoked it. Ravi played how Ravi can do."

You don't often see the umpires clapping, but I think they all witnessed a special knock by Ravi Essex wicket-keeper James Foster

Bopara's performance in the Friends Provident Trophy quarter-final encounter at Grace Road beat the previous best by an Essex player in one-day cricket of 198, set by Graham Gooch in 1982.

It was also only the fifth time in the history of the county game that a player has hit a double century in limited-overs cricket.

Foster acknowledged it was a remarkable occasion: "You don't often see the umpires clapping, but I think they all witnessed a special knock by Ravi.

"I don't think you can put it more simply than just saying it was a very special knock."