The former England batsman made his Essex debut in 2002, but after a tumultuous year in which he was dropped to the second team for a time before playing a vital part in the club’s T20 Blast-winning campaign in a new role as a finisher, the player and club went their own ways after failing to agree a contract extension.

Essex made a point of describing their contract offer as an “improved” one, but leaving the club was not a decision Bopara took lightly.

“It was just weird, really weird, and I struggled with it for a while. It’s not something I just settled into at the end of the season. I didn’t just finish the season and go, ‘Ah well, I’m moving on’. It took me a long time. Only very recently have I accepted it.”