Butcher returns in style

Mark Butcher marked his return after more than a year out with 65 against Glamorgan

Mark Butcher scored 65 in his first match back after more than a year out injured as Surrey finally got their rain-affected LV= County Championship Division Two clash under way against Glamorgan at Cardiff.

The former England left-hander has been plagued with knee trouble and has not played a Surrey match since May 30 last year.

But he did not appear like a batsman who had been out for so long as he supplied 65 to a third-wicket partnership of 98 in 32 overs with his half-century coming from 67 balls including nine fours while Mark Ramprakash was unbeaten on 50.

Those contributions helped Surrey to 159 for three in their first innings in the 48 overs that were possible on the second day after the first had been a complete wash-out.

Butcher lost the toss but after the game got under way at 1.10pm his side reached 110 for two in the two hours were possible before more rain arrived in south Wales.

And following another two-hour delay for heavy rain Butcher went to his half-century taking three fours off an over from Garnett Kruger.

Glamorgan made an encouraging start when teenage seamer James Harris trapped Scott Newman for nought with the sixth ball of the match.

Michael Brown showed a positive approach as he attempted to make up for lost time which had seen the first 116 overs lopped off the contest.

Brown looked well set, having provided the first 37 runs out of 51 for one, but was adjudged leg before by umpire Jeff Evans trying to whip Kruger on to the legside after reaching 40.

At 58 for two that brought together the veteran England pair of Butcher and Ramprakash and they looked well in control either side of the rain break.

That was until left armer Adam Shantry struck five overs from the end to remover Butcher leg before, although Ramprakash went on to make his half-century.