Ramprakash announces retirement (From The Oxford Times)

Ramprakash announces retirement

4:43pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

Former England batsman Mark Ramprakash has announced his retirement from cricket.

The 42-year-old, whose career began with Middlesex in 1987, has made the decision after losing his place in the Surrey team this year.

"I'd like to formally announce my retirement from first-class cricket. I'd like to express how lucky I feel to have had such a long career," said Ramprakash.

Ramprakash, whose contract with Surrey was due to expire in September, amassed 114 first-class centuries during his career.

But he failed to realise his potential in Test cricket, which he finished with an average of only 27 from his 52 caps.

"I've been asked about regrets in my England career many times, but you do the best you can," he said.

"I couldn't have trained any harder and did the best I could at that time. I went through many ups and downs, but did have some highlights."