Bopara headed for the West Indies with England Lions in January 2011 after he missed out for the 2010–11 Ashes series Test and ODI squad and the 2011 World Cup. His stay in the Caribbean was cut short when he was called up to England's World Cup squad before the tournament as a replacement for the injured Eoin Morgan. Bopara played in England's opening match against the Netherlands and scored a match-winning 30 from 20 balls. After that, he did not play against India and Ireland as England chose to field a second spinner, Michael Yardy. Bopara returned to play against South Africa in place of the dropped Paul Collingwood. Bopara came in with the score at 15/3 and managed a partnership of 99 with Trott; Bopara ended with 60 off 98 balls. England restricted South Africa to 165 and Bopara was named the man of the match. England lost he next match by two wickets against Bangladesh, with Bopara scoring 16 runs. Bopara did not perform well against the West Indies, making just 4 with the bat, although England went on to win by 18 runs and progress to the quarter finals. Here, England were thrashed by ten wickets as Sri Lanka's openers made light work of England's target. Bopara scored 31 when he batted in the first innings.