In his career as a cricketer Mark Ramprakash has amassed an astonishing number of trophies, records and plaudits. He’s scored centuries for England, captained both Middlesex and Surrey, and was voted player of the year in 2006; yet despite this extraordinary cricketing career it is probably his victory in the 2006 series of Strictly Come Dancing that made him a household name. It’s an irony that is not lost on the man himself: "I’m definitely more recognised for my dancing now," he laughs wryly. "I used to be able to travel to The Oval without being recognised! Doing the show was a truly surreal time in my life. Not something I’d have imagined myself doing, yet it was great fun and I really enjoyed it."

So much fun that he’s barely been out of his sequined top and dancing shoes since, dazzling audiences with his quickstep and salsa at Strictly Come Dancing Christmas specials in 2006 and 2007, and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. "It’s been nice to dust off the shoes now and then and keep the dancing up. I was a bit worried I might be shown up actually. I was watching the recent series and the girls have really taken it to a new level. I mean Kelly and Alesha and the others, they can really dance!" Not that this has stopped him agreeing to dance at this year’s BBC Sports Relief on March 14, reputedly partnering Eastenders actress Kara Tointon and competing against the like of Darren Gough, Colin Jackson, Denise Lewis and David Ginola.

With all this dancing it’s easy to forget that there’s the small matter of the approaching 2008 County Championship. How does he rate Surrey’s chances? "Really good. This current squad has the best spirit I’ve ever played in." And what about his own form, can he continue his incredible record of finishing the last two seasons with an average of over 100? "Obviously, I’m hoping so. Recently I’ve really got my enjoyment back for the game. It’s probably because I’m coming near the end of my career and want to get the most out of it. It’s like when I was a kid actually!"

This moment of nostalgia has perhaps been prompted by his surrounds, which as we talk is the Adam Hollioake room, part of The Oval complex, and currently awash with schoolchildren taking part in Surrey CCC’s community programme (see box). Ramprakash enjoys to taking part in the scheme when he can and is enthusiastic about the lessons cricket can communicate to children. "Cricket teaches individuality in a team framework. Kids learn that if they don’t do well with the bat they can still benefit the team in the field." Ironically, Ramprakash was a more successful footballer in his youth, captaining his school team, but he thinks this versatility has benefited his cricket – not to mention his dancing – career and he’s keen for kids to understand this as well. "I don’t think kids should specialise in any sport too early. It’s not just the beneficial hand and foot-to-eye coordination other sports teach but also that cricket is increasingly a physical, tough sport and so I think they benefit from continuing football and rugby alongside their cricket."

Ramprakash is enormously animated when he talks about the youth set up at The Oval and, having completed his level four pro-licence coaching course, it’s easy to see him staying in the area and at the club for many years to come. Given his habit of excelling at whatever he’s turned his hand to, whether that be football, cricket or dancing, this can only be good news for Surrey cricket.

For cricket fans the Brit Oval is one of the country’s most important sporting venues, associated with summer days and glorious victories – and perhaps a few unfortunate defeats. But it’s also a huge green space with top-notch facilities in the centre of a busy metropolis. So what happens here when the weather is cold and there are no matches on?

Surrey County Cricket Club has a well-established community programme, with several initiatives that benefit the local schoolchildren of Lambeth. Since the opening of the Ben Hollioake Learning Centre in April of last year, the club has been able to offer a devoted resource for its education work. Lambeth Hall, the sports hall adjacent to the centre, enables indoor cricket practice.

The programmes get great support from the club’s administrators and players. "It’s vitally important for a club like Surrey to put something back into the local community," says Mark Ramprakash. "Being in a major city like London makes you more aware of how much is going on in the local community that we can be involved in. Giving the kids the chance to have a go at cricket and continue their education at the key responsibility for us as a club."

Several programmes at the Brit Oval are open to locals:

l Playing for Success: An ongoing after-school scheme run in partnership with Lambeth and the Department for Education and Skills that delivers an innovative 10-week curriculum of information and communication technology, literacy and numeracy inspired by a combination of cricket, other sports and pupils’ own interests.

l ECHO: Stands for Equality, Coaching and Healthy Options; run in conjunction with Fulham Football Club to deliver cricket and football coaching, as well as healthy living messages, to primary and secondary schools in Lambeth.

l The Education Project: A scheme that opens the doors of the Brit Oval to every school in Lambeth by acting as their classroom for the day; children learn skills through cricket and get the chance to watch a professional match.

l Prince’s Trust: Around 40 unemployed or underprivileged 16 to 25-year-olds take part in a programme to rebuild their confidence and give them a base from which to rebuild their lives during three 12-week courses held at the Brit Oval each year.

l Kennington United Cricket Club: The only amateur cricket club in Lambeth; provides the sole opportunity for thousands of residents regardless of age, background or gender to play recreational and competitive cricket at all levels; based in Kennington Park and supported by the Brit Oval.