Ward sets sights on England

Ward won his first cap with Ryan Sidebottom last May

Surrey batsman Ian Ward is desperate to regain his place in the England side.

Speaking before the start of a crucial season for the left-handed opener, Ward affirmed his desire to win back the place he lost during last summer's ill-fated Ashes series.

"I am desperate to get back in the international side. If I don't I will see it as unfinished business," he said.

"I have had a taste and seen what it is about - and unfortunately I was not in good enough form to make the most of it."

Ward made his debut against Pakistan last May after a successful stint in the Caribbean with the England A side.

Empty winter

However, his form gradually disintergrated during the course of the summer as technical flaws were ruthlessly exploited by the rampant Australians.

He has now endured an empty winter without the benefit of another A tour to keep himself in the selectors thoughts.

"When I was making runs in the Caribbean I was in people's minds because I was in the papers all the time.

"Now it is different. To an extent the players in the Academy team have that now. I don't - but all I can do is get on with making runs for Surrey and getting noticed."

Australia exposed Ward's technical deficiences

Ward does have the example of Mark Butcher to follow, after his fellow Surrey opener forced his way back into the reckoning despite looking finished at international level.

"There are parallels in that we were both left out and had a winter to think about it," Ward said.

"Butcher did it more when he got back playing for England. There were one or two injuries or whatever, and suddenly he got a call-up which was a bit of a surprise.

"But he was in the form to take advantage. He was in excellent form at the start of last season, and it was no surprise to me at all that he started making runs when he got the chance.

Hard knocks

The 28-year-old is used to hard knocks though, having been originally released by Surrey at the age of 18, only to force his way back into the side a few years later.

"There are a number of reasons you can use for motivation," Ward said.

"One obviously is that it is your job, and so you need to succeed.

"Then there is the enjoyment - the fact that you get a lot out of doing what you are doing, batting, scoring runs.

"Then there is the fact that you want to get in the England side. I have done it once. I am desperate to do it again. I just have to get on with it now."