MARK BUTCHER Left-hand batsman; right-arm medium bowler

FACTFILE DOB: 23.8.1972 Team: Surrey Test debut: v Australia, Edgbaston, 1997 ODI debut: -

An opening batsman when he began his Test career, Butcher is now established as England's regular number three.

After struggling with off-field problems early in his career, he has been an ever-present since regaining his place following a team injury crisis at the start of the 2001 Ashes series.

Once a liability against spin, he used a spell away from the Test side to work on his technique, and the toil paid off in 2002 with two centuries against Sri Lanka.

But he had an absolute nightmare against Bangladesh and will be sweating a little ahead of the December Tests against Sri Lanka.