Cricket: Ramprakash reassesses his future

Mark Ramprakash, omitted from England's winter tours after paying the price for disciplinary problems with Middlesex and an inability to translate talent into Test runs, plans to reassess his game.

'The last week has taught me a hell of a lot about how things work and about how the authorities think,' he said. 'I wish people had spoken to me a little bit more throughout the season.'

'I have had discussions with Middlesex officials and my parents and I want to try to work things out so that I am able to produce what I am capable of as a cricketer.'

Ramprakash, 23, averages only 17.21 from his 15 innings in nine Tests, while his total of 241 runs includes a top score of just 29. This summer, he was fined and then suspended by Middlesex for two separate incidents. The one consolation is that he has a pounds 15,000 winter contract from the Test and County Cricket Board.

Roger Twose and Trevor Penney made half-centuries to give Warwickshire a satisfactory start against Middlesex at Lord's and when bad light ended play, they were 319 for 7. The day began with the news that Andy Lloyd is to be replaced as captain next year by Dermot Reeve.