Butcher steps up for Surrey

Butcher led England in one Test in 1999 as Nasser Hussain's deputy

England batsman Mark Butcher has been named as the new captain of Surrey.

The 32-year-old left-hander, who made his debut for the county in 1991, succeeds Jonathan Batty, with Mark Ramprakash remaining as vice-captain.

Butcher was recently granted a fourth consecutive central contract by England and Ramprakash will deputise when he is on international duty.

"Surrey has been part of my life since I can remember and being awarded the captaincy is a huge honour," he said.

Batty was replaced after just a season as Adam Hollioake's successor.

Concerns were raised about his triple role of captain, wicketkeeper and batsman.

"I am naturally disappointed not to be Surrey captain next year," Batty admitted.

"I have learnt a great deal this season but I can now concentrate on helping Surrey by further developing my own game.

It has always been an ambition of mine to captain the club Mark Butcher

"I hope that there might be another opportunity to captain the club in the future."

Butcher, awarded a county cap in 1996, is no stranger to the captaincy at Surrey, having deputised for Hollioake on 22 occasions between 1998 and 2003.

He has played 135 first-class matches for the club, scoring 8909 with 18 centuries and 52 fifties.

In the one-day arena he has made 152 appearances, scoring 2963 runs at an average of 26.93 with a top score of 104.

After returning from England's Test tour of South Africa in January, Butcher will be available for the entire pre-season programme, which begins earlier than in previous years on 1 March.

Academy: Why cricket's in the Butcher genes

"It has always been an ambition of mine to captain the club and I am looking forward to continuing our excellent end of season form into next year and beyond," he said.

Butcher's 2004 season has seen a catalogue of injuries, most of which were of a bizarre nature

Having damaged an ankle in West Indies he missed the entire home series against them.

He injured a thigh in July, suffered whiplash when his car was shunted into whilst stationary at traffic lights and then aggravated the thigh lifting a cardboard box at home.