The innings by the 28-year-old earned 200.8 points on the Wisden 100's complex rating system which takes into account a variety of factors in judging the best Test innings.

The system rates Sir Don Bradman's 270 for Australia against England in Melbourne in the 1936/37 season at the top of the list with 262.35 points out of a possible 300.

Butcher's innings gets the nod as the eighth best by an England player, with Graham Gooch's 154 not out against West Indies at Headingley in 1991 heading the list.

It comes fifth on the all-time list of England innings against Australia.

Butcher's Test best knock also moves him up the rankings in the PwC Ratings.

He leaps 25 places to 30th - his highest spot since his century against Australia in Brisbane in 1988.

The list is headed by Sachin Tendulkar, while Graham Thorpe, in 11th place, is England's highest ranked batsman.

Glenn McGrath's eight wickets in the match at Headingley has helped him equal the highest rating achieved by a bowler in the last decade.

He now shares that honour with West Indian Curtly Ambrose.