Run machine Mark Ramprakash is fearful that captaining England could have a negative effect on Kevin Pietersen's batting.

"I was a little bit surprised Kevin got the captaincy," admitted Ramprakash, who has just become only the 25th player in the game's history to score a century of first-class centuries.

"Not because he wouldn't necessarily make a good captain but because he's the best player and perhaps, after Andrew Flintoff 's experience in Australia when things didn't go that well, I thought England might be a little bit conservative.

"I'm not sure we want to contain Kevin Pietersen. That would be my concern. Batting with flair is his great strength.

"Any coach will be wary of trying to restrain someone who is that talented and already producing very good results."

Ramprakash, 38, might easily have been an England team-mate of Pietersen's over the last couple of years when he was in fabulous form. But the selectors never gave him the recall which many people felt he deserved and his sights this season are now set on trying to help Surrey avoid championship relegation.

"I've heard it said that I'm motivated by hundreds," said Ramprakash, who last played for England six years ago. "That's not the case. I'm highly motivated by contributing to the team and it's much more satisfying to score runs when the team really needs them."