Hollioake the gilded youth is now a working man

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Every tour has its forgotten men, has-beens, never-weres, could-have-beens. It is part of the selectorial process. But it still takes an effort to realise that Ben Hollioake is filling the role yet again.

How blessed he once was. The glittering prizes were in a line ready to be presented. It is an old story now but still a pertinent one. Hollioake was 19 years and 195 days old when he first played for England in a one-day international and put Australia to the sword, 74 days older when he made his Test debut and executed his first scoring shot through mid-wicket with such effortless panache that it was said: "The future is here and it works."

The other day, at 24 years and 100 days, all but five years but only two Tests and 20 one-dayers down the line, he said: "I'll be disappointed not to be picked tomorrow. I'm available and fully fit." Disappointed not to be picked? How daft such a phrase sounds from one who was so gilded a youth. He was talking about appearing in his 21st limited-overs match for England when by now, even with England's risibly restricted fixture list, he might have played 50.

Circumstance prevented his continuing rise to the stratosphere, the circumstance of selectors refusing to put their trust in his class, the circumstance of his being unable to perform daily pyrotechnics on the county treadmill, the circumstance of too much, too soon being expected of his unquestionable ability.

Hollioake projects a wise and mature personality now, partly forged perhaps by his travails of the past five years. Yet an outstanding talent still threatens to be an international journeyman. Indeed it is likely now. The zest has probably disappeared from his game.

"I'll always back myself," he said. "I would like to think that I will get back into the side but it's not up to me. If I'm selected here and do well I want to get into next summer's tri-series in England and then the World Cup. But I should think the selectors have made up their minds 90 per cent about who they want." Hollioake probably gives too much credence to their one-day vision. It is by no means certain that squads are all but settled.

This has been another troubling tour for him. In Australia three years ago he was almost totally ignored and his services have been required only three times in the 10 matches so far played.

A knee injury threatened to end his tour early but 10 days of rest seem to have cured it. Worryingly, it was was exacerbated by bowling when he stamped his foot down. Happily, it appears to have disappeared.

It is to Hollioake's credit that he shows only mild frustration at not being picked – the natural reaction of any self- respecting sportsman. But he cannot conceal that his career has not gone as it seemed ordained that effervescent day at Lord's when he whizz-banged his way to an unfettered 63 from 48 balls against Australia. That innings will always be with him.

He has signed a one-year contract with Surrey, where his brother, Adam, is captain. He refused to sign for longer, he was reluctant to sign at all.

"There was a lot of interest from other counties and I was very close to going to Warwickshire," he said. "But it's hard to leave a club like Surrey where there is always a chance of winning trophies.

"It was just that it was difficult to get on to bowl last year with the amount of overs that Saqlain Mushtaq bowled. I've been told there will be more opportunity this season." A one-year contract tells Surrey exactly what will happen otherwise.

Hollioake certainly needs more bowling. This element of his game has clearly regressed since his bright, early days, or rather it has failed to develop. The action is still unwieldy with its wobbly left arm and the pace is not what it was. It needs work.

He will always be chiefly a batsman, one who scores quickly and attractively, but he cannot quite live by batting alone, not with a first-class average of 25. Once, you wondered if he would do the necessary hard graft, now you suspect that he will. Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, likes bits and pieces players.

There are signs that Hollioake still possesses that fondness for the big game atmosphere. Recalled by England last year he was immediately vibrant in their narrow defeat by Australia at Bristol. If they had won that their one-day course might have been fairer set. This England is at least a close unit.

"We've been working very well together," said Hollioake. "There is a good team spirit, everyone likes each other. That's not the be all and end all but it does help." Once, Ben Hollioake might have been accused of the attitudes of a prima donna. No more. He can make it, but he may not – and that would be sad for a wunderkind.