Butcher owed a change of fortune

Mark Butcher can only look on the bright side. His luck is bound to change for the better soon. Isn't it?

The Surrey batsman, who missed all four Tests against West Indies last summer because of a sequence of bizarre injuries and accidents, wanted to start afresh on England's tour here.

But, judging by yesterday's events, Butcher is still on a roll of misfortune.

Robert Key, the player who took his No3 Test place throughout July and August and could do the same on this trip, scored 87 at better than a run a ball after being asked to fill in as an opener against the Oppenheimer XI.

Then, with victory almost in sight, Key was dismissed - leaving England just 18 runs short of their target and inadvertently putting Butcher in a nowin situation.

Much of the bowling towards the end of Key's first wicket partnership of 167 with Marcus Trescothick had been of the 'help yourself ' variety.

Almost inevitably, though, Butcher soon received a fine delivery from leftarm paceman Charl Willoughby and the resulting edge sent him packing for six.

England still won easily enough, by eight wickets with 21 balls to spare, but fuel had been added to what could be a lively and long-running debate on this tour. Key and Butcher know that, unless injuries intervene, they are contesting one place, not only during the five-match series but also, in all probability, for this weekend's second and last warm-up game.