Ramprakash: Unfair offer

I don't understand the logic of saying I would only go if a senior batsman was injured.

Mark Ramprakash
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

• England
• Surrey

Players

• Mark Ramprakash

Also see

• Cricket scores
• Cricket fixtures and results
• Messageboards

Mark Ramprakash has described England's proposal to put him on standby for their tour of Sri Lanka as illogical and unfair, according to the Daily Mail.

The paper reported on Saturday how the Surrey batsman refused to play ball with the ECB after objecting to what he considered to be unacceptable conditions attached to the offer.

Ramprakash, who has been a consistent and prolific scorer for his county, was told that he would be on standby to replace only senior bastmen in the event of injury.

"I really don't understand that," he said during a Surrey educational open day at the Brit Oval.

"I said 'No' given that wording because there's so much ambiguity about it.

"I don't understand the logic of saying I would only go if a senior batsman was injured.

"What constitutes a senior batsman? It's not as if England have an ageing side. I felt it was an unfair offer."

Committed

The offer will be seen by many as Ramprakash's last chance to break back into Test cricket after a five-year absence from the England dressing room.

Stunning performances at domestic level and a groundswell of public opinion strengthened his case for inclusion in the tour party, which leaves on Thursday.

But selectors decided against picking the 38-year-old, who struggled to carry his domestic form onto the international stage, averaging just 27 in 52 Tests.

Ramprakash however, is hoping that the door has not completely closed on his England career, although he says he is unconcerned if he does not receive the call.

"I hope my opinion is understood, reported back to whoever needs to hear it and is treated fairly," he told the paper.

"If England want to pick me for the New Zealand tour in the New Year or next summer I am available, motivated, committed and ready, but it would not be the be-all and end-all to me.

"I can't see why we can't just pick our best seven batsmen and get on with trying to win matches because with that comes momentum.

"But if in the opinion of the selectors I am not one of the best seven batsmen I can accept that.

"I thought my chances of going would be improved when they decided not to take Andrew Strauss.

"But it's fine, it's not my burning ambition to play for England again.

"I am totally committed to Surrey, have two years left on my contract and will continue to enjoy playing for them.

"I don't touch alcohol, my fitness tests are as good as ever and I've lost no hunger for playing as I approach my testimonial year."