The Nic Pothas column (From Daily Echo)

The Nic Pothas column

7:55am Wednesday 13th June 2007 in Sport

There is no doubt in my mind that Mark Ramprakash should be playing for England against the West Indies on Friday, and not for Surrey at the Rose Bowl today.

Ramps is one of several Surrey players who will be a danger to us in today's final Friends Provident Trophy South Conference match.

But I believe he should be in the England top order instead of Andrew Strauss.

England are a potent side - only Australia are better - but I think it is doing Strauss more harm than good to be playing Test cricket when he is so badly out of form.

Steve Harmison is already showing improvement after a few days work with Allan Donald, but I think the best solution for Strauss's poor form is a spell back with Middlesex so he can rediscover his confidence.

Strauss is being ridiculed every time he bats so before his confidence is damaged anymore England should let Michael Vaughan open with Alastair Cook to allow Ramprakash to bat at number three.

Ramps may be 37 but it is absolute nonsense to say he is too old.

He is the best player in the country, in a different league to most English batsmen and is in fantastic condition.

Read the rest of Nic Pothas's exclusive column in today's Daily Echo.