RAVI Bopara believes his nightmare in Sri Lanka spurred him on to his current run of form that brought a third consecutive Test century in today's second Test against West Indies at Chester-le-Street.

Essex team-mates Alastair Cook (126 not out) and Bopara (108) put on 213 for the second wicket in a total of 302 for two, as the hosts moved towards securing the draw that would clinch a series victory.

Bopara's streak is in stark contrast to his experiences after making his Test debut on the sub-continent in 2007, which included three straight ducks and a subsequent spell in the international wilderness.

"Sri Lanka was one of worst times of my cricket career," he told Sky Sports.

"I went with high hopes and reckon I came back better, tougher. It made me work harder and hopefully it's showing now."

Bopara's knock was relatively fluent compared to Cook's, and the opener admitted afterwards he is finding life in the middle tough at present.

"It's been a battle for the last 12 months and it's just nice to score some runs," Cook said.

"I never make it look easy. It's frustrating with Ravi at the other end, who does make it look so easy.

"But it's about how many you get and not how you get them."

The pitch looked slow and lifeless for much of the first day but Cook believes it will become more challenging as the match progresses.

"I think we've definitely had the best of it," he said, after captain Andrew Strauss apparently called it right having won this morning's toss.

"It's only going to go one way now."