Farewell to the Great British Inferiority Complex?

At the age of 42 and after 35,000 first class runs Mark Ramprakash has retired from cricket. Often labelled as the most naturally gifted English batsmen of the past 25 years, the stats would seem to back up an enormous talent. 100 first class centuries, and a career average of 53. 52 test matches and 17 one day internationals. Man of the Match in the Nat West Trophy final at the age of 18. One of only 8 players to finish a season with an average above 100. The only man to have scored a century against all 18 current First Class counties. All of this suggests that today we should be celebrating the career of an all time great.

But we're not. In fact, unless you are a pretty dedicated sports fan you probably won't have even heard the news of his retirement. There is a very good reason for this. Mark Ramprakash is the human form of the British Inferiority complex. Something that has blighted us all for years as we watched our heroes miss a penalty, throw an interception, or get bowled out for 46, or throw a double fault in at match point.

Mark Ramprakash had all of the talent, but none of the necessary mental toughness to succeed. 2 centuries in 52 tests. Jonathan Trott has 7 centuries in 3 years.  He represents the failures of the past. He represents the 90's, when we had the worst cricket team in the world. He represents a time when anyone could come to Britain and embarrass us at sport. Personally he reminds me of Australian success after success after success.

Thankfully these days have passed now. Our batsmen enjoy creaming green and gold bowlers.  Our players go onto the pitch expecting to win. The last of the players who accepted defeat as part of the job has now gone. 


Enjoy your retirement Ramps. You are a thoroughly decent bloke, and were a damn fine player of county trundlers, but as an international you were probably the weakest character to represent these isles. We're not weak anymore.