Mark Ramprakash has been selected as a member of the strongest ever Surrey County Cricket Club XI in a debate on the Times Newspaper’s website, that hopes to establish the greatest ever cross-generational county side.

The only member of the team still playing for Surrey, Phil Myers, places Ramprakash in his customary position at number three, where he has scored over 10,000 runs for the Brown Caps. Although critics suggest his international career makes his inclusion slightly controversial the Surrey right-hander’s unbelievable record in recent years refutes any such comment.

Myers says of Ramprakash: “It appears a controversial selection, but only to those who have watched little county cricket over the past decade. Ramprakash’s technique ranks alongside the greatest and we must assume circumstances different to those that may have hindered his England career, including a debut against a strong West Indies attack as part of an unsettled line-up.”

Ramprakash is the consummate professional and this is exemplified by his outstanding record in 2006, where he became only the fifth batsman in the history of first class cricket in England to complete a season with an average of over 100. This combined with his most recent feat, that of reaching 30,000 first class runs, is surely testament to his inclusion in the greatest ever Surrey squad.

Myers surrounds Ramprakash in the top order with some of Surrey and England’s most famous names, including the fearsome opening pair of Jack Hobbs and John Edrich. There are well over 300 centuries between the top three, which would make any bowling attack wonder how to get stuck into the dream team’s middle order.

Nevertheless, once there, they would have to encounter the captain, Peter may, who was recognised by Richie Benaud as the only great English batsman to emerge since the Second World War. At five and six are Ken Barrington and Alec Stewart, with the latter under taking the role of wicket keeper. The pair cap off a truly formidable top order, which Myers proclaims, “makes the weak tail and irrelavence”.

The bowling attack is just as well balanced. The back breaking hostility comes from Sylvester Clarke and Tom Richardson, whilst the control of Alec Bedser supported is supported by the spinning duo of Jim Laker and Tony Lock.

The full Surrey dream team is as follows:

Jack Hobbs
John Edrich
Mark Ramprakash
Peter May
Ken Barrington
Alec Stewart
Tony Lock
Jim Laker
Sylvester Clarke
Alec Bedser
Tom Richardson

Who would make your greatest ever Surrey team?

Do you agree with this side? We want to know what you think. Send your ‘greatest’ Surrey team to directhit@surreycricket.com and the current Surrey Manager, Alan Butcher, will select the best entry. The winner will receive a bat signed by the 2007 Surrey Squad and a pair of tickets to the Brown Caps’ floodlit match against Somerset at the Brit Oval on 11 September as well as having their team mentioned on www.surreycricket.com.

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