Coaching is a very rewarding role to have: Mark Ramprakash

Mark Ramprakash, the batting coach of England is certainly one of those who has embodied the whole new coaching phenomenon in the grand scheme of things. Of course, there is much more than just an added responsibility to the ordeal, but the fact is that the role of the coach or mentor has significantly changed for a while.

While Ramprakash has been known to be a prolific and elegant batsman, he did not quite make the mark he was hoping for when he played his share of 52 Tests for England in an international career spanning 11 years. However, as a coach, Ramprakash has overseen the batting of a lot of players in recent times.

“When I look back now, I wish I enjoyed playing a bit more,” he said. “I am enjoying coaching and trying to help. It’s very rewarding to give. You’re giving all the time to the players. I wake up feeling enthusiastic about the day and what it will bring. I’m very lucky,” he said.

He went on to state that there was not much communication between players and coaches during his time as a player. “In my days, as a player, I didn’t have much communication with the coaches. For me, the players must give and coaches must give too. It is a two-way relationship. When I look back at my playing career, I never really felt that two-way relationship was ever established with any coach.

“Now, I only try to build friendly relationships with players where they can feel more open and confident about talking to a coach,” he said.

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He also made the transition from County to International cricket. “In county cricket, we knew we were on the team, and we felt relaxed and we enjoyed playing. In international cricket, it was different with the TV cameras, big crowds and more. If things don’t go well early, it can be quite a difficult place to succeed.

He went on to conclude that there were players in the first time who were simply amazing as batsmen and boasted of good maturity as well.

“I find a lot of the players now are quite mature in the way they carry themselves. With the first team, people like Jos Buttler and Joe Root were quite mature, quite level-headed from an early age. That really impressed me because I don’t think that was the case with youngsters coming through like that 15-20 years ago. It was a different world.There is a lot of encouragement and support now,” he said.