Butcher's England fears ease

Butcher scored a century in his last England Test match

Mark Butcher's hopes of being selected for England's first Test against Zimbabwe have been boosted after he was picked for Surrey's County Championship match against Warwickshire.

Butcher, who scored a century against Australia in his last Test match, did not play in Surrey's opening match against Lancashire.

And England chairman of selectors David Graveney admitted it would be "difficult" to select Butcher if he had not played any county cricket before the first Test on 22 May.

However, Butcher is in the team for the match beginning on Wednesday, with Rikki Clarke and Graham Thorpe dropped.

Butcher told The Sun newspaper he had discussed the situation with Surrey coach Keith Medlycott.

Exclusive: Butcher's England hopes

"I'm hacked off and it's fair to say I put my point of view forcefully," he said.

"Keith said he didn't want to change the middle-order which, he said, didn't help my position as an opener - even though I did point out I actually bat number three for England.

"The way I see it is that I'm an England player who scored a century against the best team in the world in my last game.

"But for some reason, I'm not picked for my county."