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You come from a very cricketing background, with your dad, brother and two uncles all players, so was it almost assumed that you would join them?
It wasn't assumed. I was never pushed into it one way or the other but it was always something that I felt I wanted to do.

I was very fortunate to be brought up in an environment where I was always around cricket and watching cricket.

I guess that got into my consciousness and made me determined to do it myself.

Mark's dad Alan also played for England

So at what age did you start playing?
I started playing proper games for the school under-11 side when I was about six or seven.

But I can remember bowling and hitting balls from as young as four, so I've been playing a while now.

You made your county debut playing for Surrey against your dad, who was in the Glamorgan team at the time. Did that seem strange?
It was one of those days that I shall always remember and I expect so will he.

Glamorgan ended up winning, but I nearly won it for us - I think I had to hit a six off the last ball. It was an exciting finish, there was a big crowd and it was a great experience.

It was a bit different to the times when my dad threw a ball to me in the back garden, but it was nice to have a friendly face out there.

Butcher has made the England No.3 spot his own

With Test cricket going through a golden patch, is this one of the most exciting times you can remember?
It is probably as strong here as anywhere in the world, bar India, so things are looking good.

We hear a lot of doom and gloom merchants saying cricket is not exciting enough but there are enough people coming through the gates and enough youngsters getting involved to keep the game going for years to come.

If you want to have a game there are always avenues available.

There are enough youngsters getting involved to keep the game going for years to come Mark Butcher Surrey & England

Mark Butcher factfile

Birthdate: 23 August, 1972 Birthplace: Croydon Teams: Surrey & England Batting style: Left handed batsman Bowling style: Right arm medium Did you know?: Mark captained England against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1999 when Nasser Hussain was ruled out by injury.

Mark Butcher's family in cricket

Dad Alan, played for Surrey, Glamorgan and England Brother Gary, played for Glamorgan and Surrey Uncle Ian, played for Gloucestershire and Leicestershire Uncle Martin, played for Surrey