OPTIMISTIC skipper Stuart Broad has backed Ravi Bopara to recapture top form just in time to light up England’s Twenty20 World Cup bid this month.

Bopara’s build up to the Sri Lanka showpiece continued to disappoint at Chester-le-Street on Saturday when England lost by seven wickets to a strong South African.

In the absence of Kevin Pietersen there will be a need for other members of the dressing room to step up to the mark if they are to retain the crown they won in the Caribbean almost two-and-a-half years ago.

With more than 360 runs in his 18 innings in Twenty20 action for his country and nine wickets to his name, Bopara undoubtedly has the ability to shine.

But things have not been going to plan for the Essex right-hander in recent months.

He averaged just 5.5 runs over the NatWest ODI Series with the Proteas and has now struggled with the bat in his last eight internationals.

Broad, after watching Bopara caught by Johan Botha for just six and concede 21 runs for no wicket from his two overs with the ball, is in no mood to turn against his man at this stage though.

“Ravi has struggled the last couple of weeks but he is working very hard on putting that right,” said Broad, with England starting their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on September 21.

“You know as a batsman you can be one shot away from something clicking and being back in form. Twenty20 cricket is probably the best format for that because you can play with a bit of licence and let that feeling come back to your game.

“Hopefully Ravi can get that back because he will be an important player for us in Sri Lanka, not just with the bat but his bowling can be useful on those wickets too.”

Bopara’s situation is not too dissimilar to that of Faf du Plessis. He is regarded in his homeland as a player with enormous ability, but his first Twenty20 appearance ended on just four when he was bowled lbw by Steven Finn.

South Africa captain AB de Villiers, however, thinks it will be worth standing by du Plessis for the second match of the NatWest Series at Old Trafford today in the hope he can settle before the World Cup.

De Villiers said: “Instead of dropping him, it’s important to keep backing him and make sure he has some confidence ahead of the World Cup. We all know what he is capable of, he is a class player.”

After South Africa won comfortably at the Durham Emirates ICG it would be easy for Broad to contemplate making changes in the final two matches of the Twenty20 series.

And he hinted that Sussex’s Luke Wright will be given a chance to stake his claim for a starting spot at the World Cup by adding to his 30 appearances for England this week.

Broad said: “Someone like Luke Wright has played some really good knocks in domestic cricket in the last couple of weeks. Going in to this World Cup there will certainly be opportunities for different options and a chance for others to impress.”