Ramprakash is more at home in the Test arena

Then the dreaming starts again. I picture myself succeeding where hundreds of batsmen have failed and smashing Saqlain to smithereens.

But the reality is the only time I have ever scored any runs was as a 17-year-old in a college match.

It isn't going to happen.

But bowling is an altogether different matter. I fancy myself as a bit of a quickie, but only because speed guns aren't a fixture at the grounds I play at to shatter my illusions.

So I forget the batting, and just focus on trying to claim the wicket of Ramprakash, one of the most stylish batsmen in the game.

Then I remember the last time I bowled was a month ago and I was systematically taken apart by a club batsman.

I think I'll be cannon fodder.

Saqlain bamboozles another batsman

The day at the AMP Oval was organised by sportinglife.com, who sponsor both players, and they were keen to find some of us willing to make fools out of ourselves.

Needless to say there were enough keen to be undone by the wiles of Saqlain's mystery ball and plundered by Ramprakash's flashing blade.

There was an assortment of abilities - some hadn't played since school, others play the odd game here or there, but all were keen for the chance to tell their mates that 'I bowled to Ramps' or 'I survived a delivery from Saqlain'.

They will be tales that we'll take to our graves.

The bowlers gently warm up by sending down a few deliveries to another guinea pig before Ramprakash strides into the net.

Almost immediately the run-ups are extended and determined expressions flash across the faces.

Untroubled by our collective efforts, Ramprakash plunders the bowling with everything racing off the middle of the bat.

Ramprakash talks tough ahead of the session

It is all too easy for him. But then success, of sorts.

He plays and misses at a ball of mine outside off-stump. Not a bad ball, but one that must have hit a bump to go past his bat.

"Done for pace," he says as he fields the ball from the net.

I walk back to my mark wearing a sheepish grin.

Suitably annoyed at himself, Ramprakash smashes the cover off the next ball, and every subsequent ball I bowl.

I wave the white flag and put on the pads in an attempt to unravel the mysteries of Saqlain.

I adopt a positive approach, determined to use my feet to negate his spin, even though the chances of even him extracting any sideways movement on the rubber matting are slim.

Talking point

I advance down the track to his first ball, get to it on the full and flash a cover drive.

He applauds the shot, but the next ball is quicker and flatter, I play it straight.

But then he's off, called away by other demands.

I didn't face his 'mystery ball' but I survived, so I'm happy and I also got one past Ramprakash.

The boys will be hearing about this one for years to come.

If you don't believe me, click on the video footage on the left for evidence