Poor year spurs Surrey - Butcher

Butcher expects to be fit to play in three weeks' time

New captain Mark Butcher says Surrey's failure to win any silverware last season has reinvigorated them for 2005.

For the first time since 1998, under new coach Steve Rixon, Surrey failed to win one of the four major trophies.

And Butcher, who has taken over as skipper from Jonathan Batty admitted: "It's been an enormous spur."

"Something we've been very proud of is our record in the last eight or nine years of picking up trophies and being one of the best in the country."

Surrey made a torrid start to last season but finished strongly to claim third place in the Championship.

This year's campaign starts against Sussex at The Brit Oval on 13 April.

Butcher, who hopes a wrist injury will allow him to play in three weeks' time, added: "The Championship is something close to our hearts.

"But we'd look for one of the one-day trophies if not two.

"If it doesn't happen it won't be for lack of desire."

Mark Ramprakash will act as captain while Butcher recovers from injury, and will step in again if his former England team-mate gains a Test call-up.