Key returns as Butcher is ruled out

England and Surrey batsman, Mark Butcher has been ruled out of the first NPower Test match against the West Indies at Lord's. The Test, commencing on Thursday 22nd, will instead feature Kent opener Robert Key, who returns having been sacked from the Test team at the completion of Zimbabwe's tour of England in 2003.

Key has scored 244 Test runs at a poor average of 18.78 in 8 Tests, mostly batting out of position in the middle order.

Butcher sustained injury in a car crash on Monday (19th July) and has not fully recovered as of yet. Reports indicate that Butcher is not able to run nor participate in fielding practices and has shown discomfort in those attempted thus far.

He is by no means the only injury in the side, however. Both Andrew Flintoff and Simon Jones are under injury clouds, but both are expected to play in the Test match. Flintoff will only play as a batsman.

Posted by Liam