When his stocky frame chugs to the wicket, Ealham looks less than threatening. But he hits the crease with a hefty thud of the front foot, bowls miserly wicket-to-wicket wobblers, and sometimes finds late movement away from the right-hander. And a well hidden heavy ball can extract unexpected bounce. His batting is an ingenuous mixture of square nudges, legside thumps and pragmatic cover-drives, but it was effective enough to have made him England's allrounder in one-day games from 1997 until he was dumped (probably too early) in 2001. His Test career was less fulfilled, playing just eight matches, but it memorably included the 1997 Edgbaston Test against Australia. Like his father Alan, who also played for Kent, his fielding is surprisingly agile. In fact as Canterbury clans go the Ealhams are second only to the Cowdreys in the popularity stakes. However, despite his roots being firmly in Canterbury he decided for a move and joined Nottinghamshire at the start of the 2004 season. His switch paid dividends when he was part of the Championship winning side of 2005 and he continues to be a valuable player in four and one-day cricket. In 2006 he finished third in the national bowling averages and continues to add valuable experience to Nottinghamshire's side.
Lawrence Booth September 2007

Walter Lawrence Trophy 2006

• Vincent helps Lancashire into quarters (Jun 25, 2008)
  
• Ferley holds his nerve (Jun 14, 2008)
  
• Ealham puts Kent on the back foot (Apr 17, 2008)
  
• Mushtaq haul puts Sussex on top (Jun 7, 2007)
  
• Mushtaq routs Worcestershire (May 25, 2007)
  

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Apr 15, 2008 Mark Ealham, 2008 player portrait © Getty Images

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Jul 4, 2006 Mark Ealham took seven balls to get to 31, hitting four sixes on the way © Getty Images

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