Butcher retires from cricket

Mark Butcher's announcement comes ahead of Headingley, where he scored a famous 173 in the 2001 Ashes Test

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Former England batsman Mark Butcher has called time on his career after losing his battle with an ongoing knee injury.

Surrey captain Butcher, whose most memorable innings for England came at the scene of tomorrow’s potentially decisive fourth Ashes Test, played 71 Tests for his country and scored more than 17,000 first-class runs at an average of 40.70.

He will long be remembered by fans for his thrilling 173 not out against Australia at Headingley in 2001, a match-winning knock that saw him progress from unfulfilled talent to mainstay of the side.

Butcher captained England on one occasion, standing in for Nasser Hussain against New Zealand in 1999, but was curiously never selected for a one-day international.

He fell out of the England reckoning after a series of injuries in 2005, signing off with 4,288 Test runs at an average of 34.58.

Having proved his class with his career-defining knock at Headingley, Butcher - whose first four years as a Test cricketer yielded only three tons - scored another five in the next two years, passing three figures against Sri Lanka, twice, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Australia in Sydney.

Butcher’s captaincy of his home county, which briefly coincided with father Alan’s stint as coach, has been blighted by injury problems, with last month’s knee surgery proving the final straw.

Announcing his decision during Surrey’s match against Derbyshire at Whitgift School, Butcher said: “Headingley was certainly the high point of my England career.

“It pushed me into being a proper England player, someone who was renowned for that and who was England’s number three for that period.

“But I still think that my favourite moment was winning that first championship with Surrey in 1999, with a team of guys who were pretty much my mates from when I was going to school. That was a great moment.”

Butcher has worked alongside cricket manager Chris Adams in trying to turn around the fortunes of his beloved Surrey

Reflecting on his decision to end his career midway through the county season, the 36-year-old explained: “Starting back in 2004, a litany of mad injuries started and it’s been a bit of a battle ever since.

“It’s better to go now than be rubbish, batting like a busted ass and making a fool of myself.

"I've been thinking about this for the past two or three weeks. Being captain of the side and not being able to be out there on the park is difficult for the team, the coaches and myself.”

Surrey professional cricket manager Chris Adams added: “I would like to thank Mark for his contribution in what we are trying to achieve in this new era at Surrey.

“He has never once let his personal anguish and frustrations with the injury affect his decision making with regards to team affairs and has 100% endorsed the vision and journey that has only just begun.

“It is always sad when long and distinguished careers prematurely come to an end but Mark can be very proud of all that he achieved.

“My father has always told me that many are called but few are chosen. Mark will be recorded as one of those privileged few and I wish him a long and successful future.”