IT may sound amazing. But, Mark Ramprakash loves reality. He says quite frankly that he doesn't consider himself a certainty in the England team despite scoring a fine 133 against Australia at The Oval in the Ashes series early this summer. In fact, he scored 318 runs averaging 40 in the battle against the old foes, the Aussies this summer. The reason is his 46-match Test career with 2114 runs including two centuries and averaging 27.81 since making his debut in 1991. For, he has a peculiar tendency to make a mark only occasionally at the highest level despite being a bundle of talent. It was the fiery pace attack of West Indies, spearheaded by Curtly Ambrose, which had him either yorked or fending off awkwardly early in his career. It is a fact that he disappointed his fans repeatedly with dismal performances. Only the odd stylish knock rekindled hopes of the much desired consistency at the highest level and his exuberance raised the level of expectations.
But at the age of 32 and after being in and out of the England team for nearly 10 years since he made his debut, the elegant, middle-order batsman is determined to shake off the early-30 blues in real life. This is surprising considering the fact that he hit 154 (maiden Test ton) against West Indies in 1998 while sharing a 205-run stand with Graham Thorpe for the sixth wicket at Bridgetown. "I am working hard now and want to be in great shape," he says while sharing his experiences with the media. "I would love to come up with big scores in the practice matches preceding the Test series to be in the right frame of mind. It is important to spend time in the middle," he explained.
Significantly, the start was perfect for this stylish batsman - 58 not out vs Mumbai, 105 and 32 against Board President's XI - on this tour. The dashing batsman is quick to point that his hundred against the Aussies early this summer should be a decisive phase in his career and have a major influence on his career. "It was a very satisfying century against a quality attack. I would love to continue with the same attitude which I displayed during that knock," Ramprakash said honestly.
At the same time, he is aware of the challenge ahead on the Indian tracks. "The Indian spinners are a different proposition compared to the spinners we face in domestic cricket back home," Ramprakash says quite honestly. "Here, you cannot just go out and smash the ball around and try to score 350-plus in a day. Concentration and patience are the key to success against the guiles of Indians," he pointed out. There is lot of competition for a slot in the middle-order and it is hard for the team management to make their choice, the veteran with a difference says.
Like many English batsmen on this tour, he is also in the process of learning. "Yes, I spoke at length to Graham Thorpe and Marcus Trescothick who were very successful on their tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. And I am determined to give off my best shot at every chance I get," he asserted. Definitely, I am happy with the way I am batting now and my approach to the game, he added. This tour of India demands a lot of mental discipline and not just natural talent from a cricketer, he analyses. He doesn't feel that the unprecedented security arrangements are hampering the players in any way. "We are very happy with the manner our security is being taken care off," was his reply.
Ramprakash makes an honest assessment of his career by saying that he has had many ups and downs. "I have enough of them and it is time I perform more consistently," seems to be his message now. If he is in that mood, then this gifted batsman can be a treat to watch and a threat to the best of bowlers on his day. It is stressing the obvious that this Surrey batsman has a big role to play if England has to keep at bay the Indians, who on their home soil are a totally different combination.
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