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Ton-up: Ramps celebrates another century innings

County cricket is a good grounding for players to learn their skills and then to take the next step up to international cricket.

Mark Ramprakash
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Mark Ramprakash became a household name after winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2006, but when some would forgive him for winding down from the game to concentrate on a beckoning media career, he has other ideas: his focus on the day job remains unquestionable.

Having scored more than 2,000 runs in back-to-back seasons, averaging more than 100, Ramprakash's form has been little short of Bradman-esque.

Speaking to the cover-drive King prior to Surrey's season opener against Lancashire, skysports.com swiftly discovered that Ramprakash is taking nothing for granted.

"I'm feeling a little bit of expectation this year after two freak years," said Ramprakash with typical modesty, "but we've just had an outdoor net today and I didn't hit too many out the middle of the bat so this game can bring you back down to earth very quickly."

Ramprakash puts his exemplary form down to two things: working on his trigger movement and making a conscious effort to relax more at the crease. He has high standards and admits that he used to put too much pressure on himself.

"I have high standards for myself," he said, "so whether I am playing for the local club third XI or for Surrey I will always play cricket in a certain way. It is about the pressure that you put on yourself sometimes and I think the last few years I've found a good balance.

"I figured I have been so lucky to have become a professional player and as I was in my twilight years I just want to enjoy the remaining days that I've got left and that's what I'm determined to do."

Good grounding

The ECB have worked hard to improve county cricket and Ramprakash believes the two division format is a success and despite the emergence of the IPL and ICL which has cast a large shadow over the county game, the ex-Middlesex man believes domestic cricket serves its purpose well.

"I would say that there is a lot right with county cricket, in the last few years of course when you have 18 teams some are very strong and some are not so strong and that's borne out by the two divisions. Last year at Surrey we had to compete very hard in division one and we played some very good cricket.

"It is a good grounding for players to learn their skills and then to take the next step up to international cricket.

"There are lots of talented players out there without doubt and they've all got to keep working very hard and it's very important that England selectors don't give the impression that the England team is a closed shop.

"They have got to make sure that people understand that if you perform well in county cricket then you have a chance of playing for England. Maybe in recent times that's not always been the case."

Talking of young talent, Ramprakash names Surrey team-mates James Benning and Chris Jordan as players that he believes will make the step up to international level.

England

Having been overlooked by England despite being head and shoulders above his peers at county level for the last two years, Ramprakash feels that age has worked against him.

He feels England are right to persevere with the young talents of Alastair Cook and Ian Bell but also that the best players should be selected regardless of age.

"You pick your best six batsmen," he said, "if one gets injured you pick the next best batsman, it's as simple as that.

"If England wanted me to play tomorrow, I'm available. Given the last two years where things have gone very well and yet still I haven't been selected, I'm not holding my breath.

"I think age undoubtedly plays a part but my fitness results stack up with most people, but having said that there are a lot of good players in the England side.

"I was very surprised to see Owais Shah miss out in Sri Lanka and then once Ravi Bopara was not selected for the New Zealand tour I just assumed that Shah would be next in line.

"Andrew Strauss, I think, was dropped on form and for Strauss then to come straight back in the side, well I can only speculate as to how Owais felt about that."

Politics

The selectors have not been in touch with Ramprakash since last winter when National Selector Geoff Miller asked if he would be willing to be put on stand-by if a senior batsman was ruled out for the Sri Lanka tour, but Ramprakash declined the offer.

"When Geoff Miller rang me and asked me to be on stand-by if a senior batsman got injured in Sri Lanka I said to him 'I don't like the sound of that, I think somebody's playing politics here.'

"Somebody was making it very complicated, why is it that I would be on stand-by only for a senior player? I didn't understand that.

"England fans want to see a winning England team and I just think it's simple, you try and pick your best side and if I'm in that great; if I'm not, fine."

With two-years left to run on his Surrey contract, Ramprakash is focusing on his testimonial season at the Brit Oval and he says he knows when it will be time to call an end to his playing career.

"I'm happy with life and really looking forward to the season. Every time you come back for pre-season you have a feeling of anticipation of what the season will bring and I still have that, so I suppose once you lose that then it's time to hang up your boots.

"I think it's hard to look beyond that, the players I have spoken to say that things can happen quite quickly - lack of motivation, physically it can get more demanding and also if other jobs come along you have to take those into consideration.

"I'm not looking beyond that right now, I want to make the most of the two years that I have and of course I am giving a lot of thought to life after cricket but I still don't really know what I want to do."

He has already shunned offers to join the lucrative pulls in India but is keeping his options open.

"I was asked whether I wanted to be put forward for the IPL and ICL and right now I'm concentrating very hard with Surrey, I have a testimonial year this year. As a player I think all players should keep their options open and I will be watching events very closely to see how the Indian leagues develop.

"I have two years left and I want to win something with Surrey."

Mark Ramprakash's testimonial year includes a golf day at Wentworth, summer ball at the Dorchester, football dinner at the Emirates stadium and a Strictly Come Dancing evening at the Hilton. For more information visit: www.ramps2008.com