Ramprakash free to leave Middlesex

13 April 2012

England batsman Mark Ramprakash has won his protracted and acrimonious battle to leave Middlesex.

The county announced today they were prepared to release their 31-year-old former captain with a year of his contract to go.

But the departure of the player hailed as 'the next Denis Compton' when he made his first-team breakthrough at 17 has left the Middlesex hierarchy angry and demanding the England Cricket Board examine the contract regulations governing professional players in this country.

Middlesex chairman Phil Edmonds said: "I think the ECB need to examine this issue in some depth. The ramifications for cricket are of concern to us as a county and should be of concern to the rest of the game.

"It begs the question: What does this mean for contracts?

"Does this mean the end of long-term contracts?

"Does it mean players will only be given year-long contracts for fear of them breaking the terms of a longer agreement?"

Edmonds, who shared a dressing room with Ramprakash when he made his county debut in 1987, admitted that he feared the onslaught of a football-style transfer system with players moving from the County Championship's Second Division to First Division clubs.

He added: "Our position is that we are prepared to release him, but we are very disappointed to see him go because we have supported him right through his career. Obviously, he is a very fine player. Mark says he is leaving to further his England ambitions.

"I would have thought he could achieve that as the fulcrum of our batting line-up rather than at another county.

"Surely the England selectors would give a great deal of attention to his character and determination in reviving Middlesex rather than taking the decision to jump ship.

"What this means for cricket I am not sure. There has been a tremendous amount of debate in committee about the Ramprakash decision.

"Many feel aggrieved by his lack of loyalty after they had supported his benefit year so enthusiastically.

"I feel very sorry that he's going, but I wish him well."

Middlesex chief executive Vinny Codrington also believes that Ramprakash's exit could have long-term ramifications for cash-strapped counties.

Codrington fears counties could buckle under increasing wage demands from players.

He said: "Mark was not driven by money, but players are asking for more and more, and it is becoming unsustainable. I think there should be some compensation. He's been involved with Middlesex since the age of nine. While Mark might say that he has done us favours, this county has supported his cricket development and there are some at Middlesex who are very angry about this."

Ramprakash delivered his shock request to leave Middlesex three months ago in a dramatic move to revive his flagging England career after being excluded from all of his country's winter tours.

He believes a change of county will rekindle the magic he first showed in 1988 when he crowned an outstanding debut in the NatWest Trophy by winning the man-of-the-match award for his innings in the Lord's Final.

He said: "The decision to leave Middlesex is a career move. A new county could give my career fresh impetus. I need a fresh challenge."

Ambitious county champions Surrey are favourites to sign the restless Ramprakash, who leaves England this week to fulfil a short-term contract to play Saturday grade cricket for the University of Western Australia until mid-March.

However, his friendship with England captain Nasser Hussain could lead to a move to Essex, while Warwickshire are another county known to covet Ramprakash's batting talent.

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