Butcher captains Surrey

Azhar Mahmood will wear Surrey colours on Friday

Mark Butcher will captain Surrey and Azhar Mahmood is expected to make his debut for the champions of 2000 when they play their first fixture of the season on Friday.

Butcher leads the side in the continued absence of Adam Hollioake, who is still grieving after the tragic death of younger brother Ben.

A two-minute silence will be held at the Oval before start of the match against Sussex.

The Hove-based team also lost a young all-rounder, Umer Rashid, in a separate tragedy on a pre-season tour in Grenada, and both men will be in the players' thoughts.

No deadline

A club spokesman told BBC Sport Online that Butcher - who also has England commitments - would continue to captain until Hollioake felt ready to play competitive cricket once again.

"When Adam's ready to come back he will come back."

Mahmood will fly to London immedately after Wednesday's Sharjah Cup final - in which his side, Pakistan, face Sri Lanka.