Ravi Bopara believes England will approach the opening Ashes Test with confidence after drawing their practice match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Friday.

The Essex batsman hit his fourth century in as many first-class matches for England this year to help ensure nearly all their top order scored runs in the three-day encounter. Bopara retired out on 104 as England declared 507 runs ahead on 319 for three. England also reduced Warwickshire to 27 for three before the two sides shook hands with a potential 17 overs remaining.

"Everyone is pretty relaxed and everyone is playing well," he enthused. "The way our bowlers played here gives them confidence and gives the batters confidence."

He added: "We coped well on this sort of deck and we are very relaxed. Everyone seems chilled but working really hard.

"Everyone has been in the nets and in the gym getting ready in every possible way - whether it is strength, fitness or technique - so we are ready for Wednesday."

 Only Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, who batted only once during the match, failed to reach a half-century from the top seven likely to start next week's Test - and Bopara believes the experiment has been a success.

"It has been a good little run in to the first Test," he said.

"The boys got a hit, and the bowlers bowled well and look on fire - so we're happy all round.

"The standard (of opposition is) not as high as next week, but there's nothing better than a cricketer spending time out in the middle - as a batsman you can work five days a week for five hours in the nets and it is not the same as going out in the middle.

"The lads just want to get on with it now. There has been enough build-up, and we just want to get stuck in and hope when Wednesday comes round we get going."