Wisden overview
A batsman of rare talent, combining a classically English technique with an un-English intensity, Mark Ramprakash is nonetheless in danger of ending up as unfulfilled as Graeme Hick, with whom he shared a Test debut. His international career is a monument to England selection policies of the period, with five distinct phases: adhesive beginner (1991), nervous wreck capable of shining only as a stand-in (1992-97), solid achiever lacking only a top gear (1997-99), blatant scapegoat (1999-2000) and seasoned spare part (2000-01). A better player abroad, he has been selected twice as often at home. Only David Lloyd, with his tender loving cheer, got the best out of him. But there is still time for redemption, and that process may have begun with his first Test century in England, a feisty and stylish 133 against Australia at The Oval in August 2001. All along, he has been a fielder of world class at cover and bat-pad, and a county run-machine second only to Hick. Tim de Lisle

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd