driving a cricket ball boundary-wards... When he addressed the ball, with everything aligned, everything in the right place, he produced an image which can only be described as exquisite." Ramprakash was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to sport. Coaching 2012–2014 Middlesex In December 2012 he joined Middlesex as their new batting coach and it was reported at the time that he relished the opportunity of working with the players. 2014– England Batting Coach In May 2014 it was reported that Ramprakash was interested in replacing Graham Gooch as England's batting coach and, after some press speculation, his appointment was announced in November 2014. The Guardian's Mike Selvey suggested that Ramprakash's own indifferent experience at international level will be an asset in coaching England's batsmen, with Nick Knight adding that Ramprakash "can empathise" with England players. 2014 Sri Lanka and Tri-Series The first tour with Ramprakash in charge of batting was the seven match ODI series with Sri Lanka. England lost the series 5–2. England then toured Australia for a tri-series with India and Australia. England went past 300 in the fourth game of the series against Australia. They reached the final after beating India twice, but lost the final to Australia. 2015 World Cup and West Indies England had a poor World Cup campaign and failed to qualify from the group stage. England were bowled out for just 123 in the second game against New Zealand. They posted 303 against Scotland to post their biggest score of the tournament, and then bettered this by scoring 309 against Sri Lanka, although they lost by nine wickets. They were knocked out of the tournament after losing to Bangladesh. Ramprakash's first Test tour as England batting coach came against West Indies. England scored 399 in the first innings of the first match and 333–7 in the second innings but were unable to force a result as the match ended in a draw. They continued to impress with the bat as they won the next Test, scoring 464 and 144–1. However, they lost the last match as the collapsed in the second innings to 123 all out. 2015 New Zealand England's batsmen played in a more positive manner against New Zealand, with Ben Stokes scoring the fastest ever century at Lords in England's first Test victory. However, they lost the second