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Butcher left out
By David Lloyd, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 12.07.04Mark Butcher has failed to make England's 'long list' of 30 for this summer's Champions Trophy. But the selectors have told one of the country's most experienced batsmen: Keep on trying.
It is a mystery to many people why Butcher, a naturally attacking batsman for both club and country, remains without a single one-day international appearance to his name.
The Surrey left-hander has won 69 Test caps and been a key member of England's middle order since he was given the No 3 slot three years ago.
Now, approaching his 32nd birthday, it seems probable Butcher will never break into the limited-overs side - even one that looked woefully short of another 'proper' batsman among the would- be allrounders as England were dumped out of their own triangular tournament earlier this month.
Graham Thorpe, was pushing his Surrey colleague's claims last week, and, former England captain Nasser Hussain suggested "Butch should be given a chance on a short-term basis."
The selectors, though, have looked beyond Butcher in naming 30 candidates for the mini World Cup staged at Edgbaston, Southampton's Rose Bowl and the Brit Oval during September.
However, they cannot quite bring themselves to discount him altogether.
Chairman of selectors David Graveney points out that England will soon have to face another crop of one-dayers on the winter tours of Zimbabwe (if it happens) and South Africa
"Mark has recently indicated he would now like to be considered for our one-day side (having previously expressed concern that playing both forms of the game might have an impact on his fitness) and we will be watching with interest his performances for Surrey," added Graveney.
Frankly, if England do not know by now what Butcher could offer then they never will.
In any event, by the time the winter arrives England will be able to pick the batsman they would dearly love to have on board right now.
While Butcher concentrates on recovering from a thigh strain ahead of Thursday week's first Test against West Indies, England have at least thrown a few new names into the oneday ring.
Among them are batsman Ian Bell and Test fast bowler Simon Jones.
Squad: M Vaughan (Yorks, Capt), Kabir Ali (Worcs), J Anderson (Lancs), G Batty (Worcs), I Bell (Warwicks), I Blackwell (Soms), R Clarke (Surrey), P Collingwood (Durham), R Dawson (Yorks), A Flintoff (Lancs), A Gidman (Glos), A Giles (Warwicks), D Gough (Essex), S Harmison (Durham), G Jones (Kent), S Jones (Glam), R Key (Kent), J Kirtley (Sussex), J Lewis (Glos), A McGrath (Yorks), S Mahmood (Lancs), G Napier (Essex), M Powell (Glam), C Read (Notts), V Solanki (Worcs), A Strauss (Middx), C Tremlett (Hants), M Trescothick (Soms), M Wagh ( Warwicks), A Wharf (Glam).
