After reading his autobiography, the problems were mainly caused by leaving home for extended periods of time, which is why he pulled out of overseas tours. He himself said that even on trips away within this country he was OK, as he always felt he could get home if needs be.

The book is excellent by the way, his tale of breaking down at Heathrow before a pre-season tour with Somerset is rivetting, if upsetting reading.

Given that, I don't think his condition totally excludes him from selection. Whether he's the right man or not is open to debate, I'd like him to be there if he wants to be. It's not like we're asking him to agree to a long-term recall, it's all about 1 match.

Until now I've never really been convinced Ramps should get another England recall, but I'd like to point out a few facts:

He joined Surrey for the 2001 season after fourteen seasons at Middlesex. More than half of his 108 centuries have come since his move. His overall career average is 54, but for Surrey is well over 70. He averaged 100+ in two of the last three seasons and was averaging around 90 before his most recent match, in which he scored 80 and an unbeaten ton.

His Test average of under 30 from around fifty Tests is appalling, yet his last Test came less than a year after his move to Surrey and subsequent golden years at county level.

Frankly the alternatives are so ordinary I don't think we could really do any better than pick him. It would be on his home ground and would be a similar situation to that in which Martin Bicknell bowled England to a series-levelling win against South Africa in 2003.

Lord_Percy wrote:After reading his autobiography, the problems were mainly caused by leaving home for extended periods of time, which is why he pulled out of overseas tours. He himself said that even on trips away within this country he was OK, as he always felt he could get home if needs be. The book is excellent by the way, his tale of breaking down at Heathrow before a pre-season tour with Somerset is rivetting, if upsetting reading. Given that, I don't think his condition totally excludes him from selection. Whether he's the right man or not is open to debate, I'd like him to be there if he wants to be. It's not like we're asking him to agree to a long-term recall, it's all about 1 match. He's ruled himself out anyway.

Lord_Percy wrote:After reading his autobiography, the problems were mainly caused by leaving home for extended periods of time, which is why he pulled out of overseas tours. He himself said that even on trips away within this country he was OK, as he always felt he could get home if needs be. The book is excellent by the way, his tale of breaking down at Heathrow before a pre-season tour with Somerset is rivetting, if upsetting reading. Given that, I don't think his condition totally excludes him from selection. Whether he's the right man or not is open to debate, I'd like him to be there if he wants to be. It's not like we're asking him to agree to a long-term recall, it's all about 1 match. He's ruled himself out anyway.

Asim wrote:He's ruled himself out anyway. Fair enough. Can't fault him for sticking to his decision, that's for sure. If not him then I'd agree with Ramps at 3. I'd also bring in Trott at 5, with Collingwood moving up to 4.

Asim wrote:He's ruled himself out anyway. Fair enough. Can't fault him for sticking to his decision, that's for sure. If not him then I'd agree with Ramps at 3. I'd also bring in Trott at 5, with Collingwood moving up to 4.

Agree with that, I can't see him doing any worse than Bell or Bopara.

You watch a fair bit of Surrey don't you? How is Ramprakash's fitness? On the radio Mark Butcher seemed to suggest he wouldn't be able to last 5 days of a test if he was recalled, but I'm not sure if that was a tongue in cheek, flippant remark or a serious observation.

Not fancying spending time in the field doesn't seem to have hindered Shiv Chanderpaul's international career.

can he bat

I'd open with Cook and Trescothick and Strauss at 3.

I'd go

Trescothick
Cook
Strauss
Key
Ramprakash
Prior
Flintoff
Broad
Sidebottom
Harmison
Onions

Only problem there is Marcus has said he wont be coming out of international retirement.

I can't remember the last time he missed a game through injury - he certainly doesn't seem prone to the muscle strains that often force older pros to miss a game here and there. He looks very fit, carries no spare weight, and is still sharp enough to field at cover or midwicket. Only last week he scored the fifteenth double century of his career (274 against Leics) so whilst the quality of bowling wouldn't have been as taxing as Australia's he clearly still has the stamina for a long innings. And with our inability to take twenty wickets he's accustomed to long stretched in the field too!