Why Middlesex decided to release Ramprakash

At the General Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 30th January, it was agreed, reluctantly, to release Mark Ramprakash from the final year of his contract.

Mark had approached the Chairman Phil Edmonds, Captain Angus Fraser and myself with Mark's lawyer indicating his wish to seek a move to another county, even though he had a final year of his contract to run. There were some on the Committee who were particularly disappointed as Mark had indicated to the Cricket Chairman at the end of the 2000 season that he would like a three-year contract rather than a two-year extension, which is what he was being offered. We agreed to that request.

There was also considerable disappointment that he had put in a request to leave the county during his benefit year. Although Mark stated that the benefit year was for services past and not for future loyalty, the Committee were still very disappointed with this attitude. The Club had very little option as Mark showed his determination to leave.

The Club could have held him to the final year of his contract, but to have an unhappy player in the dressing room was something that Angus Fraser and the Committee felt was not appropriate. There was also the feeling from the Committee that the ECB should investigate the circumstances of player contracts. If a player was allowed to simply walk away from his signed contract, then it could result in future contracts only being one season long and could well lead to instability within the game. The Committee also refuted Mark's feelings that he would be better served by moving to a first division club to enhance his prospects to return the England side. I spoke at length with David Graveney when Mark first expressed his desire to leave the club and he assured me that the selectors look at all 18 counties and do not consider the first division or second division as an opportunity for the best players just to go to the first division clubs.

The Committee felt that Mark would be better served by staying at Middlesex and help revive Middlesex's fortunes rather than moving on to another county. However, his wish to leave, coupled with Angus Fraser not wanting an unhappy player who did not want to be at Middlesex, won the day.

In conclusion, it was felt that in the best interests of Middlesex, we resolve the issue as soon as possible.

The Club wish Mark Ramprakash and his family every success for the future.