November 11, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 29, 1428

LONDON, Nov 10: Mark Ramprakash has turned down an offer to be on standby for England’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, the Daily Mail reported on Saturday.

Ramprakash was told he would be called up for the tour in case a senior batsman was injured.

“I really don’t understand that,” Ramprakash said at a Surrey educational open day at The Oval. “I said ‘No’ given that wording because there’s so much ambiguity about it. I don’t understand the logic of saying I would only go if a senior batsman was injured. What constitutes a senior batsman? It’s not as if England have an ageing side. I felt it was an unfair offer.”

The 38-year-old Ramprakash was overlooked for the tour despite being the leading run-scorer in the Championship in the last two seasons at an average of over 100. However, Ramprakash indicated that he was still eager to play for England.

“I hope my opinion is understood, reported back to whoever needs to hear it and is treated fairly,” he said. “If England want to pick me for the New Zealand tour in the New Year or next summer I am available, motivated, committed and ready, but it would not be the be-all and end-all for me.

Ramprakash said he wasn’t perturbed by not earning an England call-up. “I thought my chances of going would be improved when they decided not to take Andrew Strauss. But it’s fine, it’s not my burning ambition to play for England again.”—Agencies