Mark Ramprakash, 32, finally registered his maiden home Test century against Australia at The Oval in August, ten years after making his debut as a precocious 21-year-old. Always an intense cricketer, he was finally relaxed enough to combine his defensive skills with the flashing blade that county bowlers know so well. When we caught up with him, he was happily milling around in the foyer of the team hotel, keeping half an eye on the door at all times to await the arrival of his family. How are you?
Yeah. Good, good, thank you.

What have you been doing since the Zimbabwe tour?
I've been trying to strike a balance between having a rest and keeping in shape really. I've had the odd net at The Oval, and watched a bit of the South Africa-India series on the telly.

Have you played in India before?
Yes, I went there once before on the A tour in 1994. I enjoyed it and it went well. It helps when the team plays good cricket. We had Cork and Chapple who bowled very well with the new ball, Richard Stemp and Min Patel bowled some good spin, and the batters got stuck in as well.

What are you most looking forward to?
I've now toured with the senior team to Australia, the West Indies and South Africa, so to go to Asia completes the set - it's the last major place that I haven't yet been to. The tour is going to be very high-profile, which I'll enjoy, with some good crowds, and of course we'll be coming up against a very talented Indian team.

What are you least looking forward to?
I haven't really thought about that, though I imagine the travelling days will be quite tiring. Some days we will have two internal flights in a row.

Are you a good flier?
[Offhand] Oh yeah, I don't mind flying.

What have you packed that isn't standard kit?
[Thinks for a moment.] I'll be bringing a few biscuits … a few Tetley teabags … other bits and pieces.

So will you be trying the local specialities?
[Enthusiastically] Oh, very much so. After all, Indian food is very popular in England as well, so I'm looking forward to it. As far as I know you're probably better off eating the local food than trying to make western-style food. I'm sure most of the guys will dig in!

Is there anyone in the party you haven't met?
No … I think I've played against all the players. I've known them all for quite a while now.

How do you propose to deal with Harbhajan and Kumble?
Well, I've enjoyed playing overseas, but the Indian spinners are obviously going to be a great and different challenge. They are extremely effective in their own conditions, especially if they have a few runs on the board and can afford to put men all round the bat. For England's batsmen the first 20 minutes of an innings are going to be very important. It's going to be hard work to get in, but if you can get past that first stage, then with a bit of concentration and patience you could go on to a big score.

How do you rate England's chances?
[In earnest] We all know how tough it's going to be. England went out there in 1992-93 and lost 3-0, despite having some very experienced players like Gooch and Emburey, and talents like Tufnell. We've obviously had a little bit of disruption to the squad - Athers has retired, and Gough, Stewart, Caddick and Robert Croft are staying behind, so that's five influential players out of the picture. But there are some good players coming in, and hopefully they'll take the opportunity. They are inexperienced, but it's all there for them. We have to knit together as a squad like the boys did in Pakistan and Sri Lanka last winter.

What's your personal goal?
Well, I really hope to have a happy and relaxed tour. I intend to enjoy the country, look around as much as possible, and hopefully get a few runs along the way!

A Word With ...
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Mark Butcher
Usman Afzaal

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