Ramprakash master-classes pay off (5 July 1999)

5 July 1999

Ramprakash master-classes pay off

Simon Hughes

"Young, gifted and black." Nina Simone's 1970's anthem could be the signature tune for England's latest cricket hero. Raised in south-west London by Barbadian parents, Alex Tudor has strolled on to the international stage as if he was born to it.

Dismissing the Waugh twins in his first Test with nerveless pace bowling, winning the match for England with imperious batting in his third. The satisfaction of seeing someone play above themselves for England is invigorating.

There is more to Tudor's exploits than mere talent, though. He is thoughtful and determined and diligent, and he has acquired one of the best batting advisers in the modern game. Stand up and take a bow Mark Ramprakash. The tutor may have got nought, but the pupil made 132 runs in the match without being dismissed.

While Tudor was posing for photographers holding two upturned sixes to commemorate his 99, Ramprakash played down his own role, saying modestly that all he did was "throw the balls" in their daily 8.30am practice sessions. But it is clear his influence has been considerable. Tudor's wide, slightly open stance, his exemplary defence and his sizzling square drive with its Caribbean flourish, are all Ramprakash's hallmarks.

When pressed, Ramprakash admits he mainly encourages Tudor to play his natural game, with just the occasional suggestion to shoulder arms outside off stump. "Alex wants to hit every ball. He has got loads of natural talent and a great array of shots off front and back foot. But you are allowed to leave the odd length ball alone outside off stump."

Ramprakash thinks deeply about the art of batting. It may in fact be the main factor that held him back in the past: sometimes he outthought himself. He notices aspects of people's games that no one else would which makes him both an excellent adviser and a brilliant mimic. He can take off any batsman (or bowler) to a T. He remembers matches, incidents, idiosyncracies so precisely it seems he has a photographic memory. He talks animatedly about cricket to people he trusts. Behind his natural reserve, his observations are fascinating.

His close friendship with Tudor stems from their first meeting exactly four years ago, the day Tudor made his first class debut. "Middlesex were playing Surrey at Lord's and I got a few runs," Ramprakash said, describing an innings of 214 featuring 37 boundaries with typical understatement. "They had this young quick bowler who only sent down a few overs but he gave me more trouble than either of their Test bowlers Carl Rackemann or Joey Benjamin. He kept going well - the wicket was really flat - and I could see he had natural talent and a good temperament. He got me out eventually. I've kept an eye out for him ever since."

Young players are very impressionable, of course, and there's no doubt some of that innings rubbed off on Tudor. He went away and subconsciously copied some of the shots he had seen and suffered, and three weeks later made an impressive first class 50 (batting at No 10), his only previous one before Saturday. The pair gradually became better acquainted and discovered they had mutual friends. (Ramprakash has always felt most comfortable amongst the West Indian community.)

Then last winter they went on tour to Australia together, and their bond became stronger. That's when the early-morning practice sessions began in earnest. Tudor's promising Test debut in Perth, and his astonishing performance at Edgbaston, owe much to the presence of a friendly, familiar face in the dressing-room.

Graham Gooch has also had a important hand in Tudor's development, but Ramprakash's time and thoughts have been of greater significance. "I studied his innings really closely and I was thinking about it again last night," Ramprakash said yesterday morning. "It contained so many authentic shots - drives, cuts, pulls - rather than tail-end slogs, and he never got flustered. He's so level headed, and he'll get better."

The peace of Tudor's life at home with his mum and dad, a friendly steward at the Oval, is about to be shattered. The polite, rangy lad who strides out to bat in odd boots with a slight limp because one leg is minutely shorter than the other, will shortly become public property. You never know he might even be able to bowl as well.. . . .

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph