Butcher injury woe continues

Pain in the wrist: still no quick return for Mark Butcher © Getty Images Enlarge

Mark Butcher has admitted that he does not know when he will be back playing as his wrist injury continues to take longer than expected to recover. Butcher has had a injection in his left wrist, in a hope of improving the problem.

He told BBC Sport: "I'm having a jab which will settle things down but I'm still waiting and seeing unfortunately." He had to leave his commentary stint with Sky Sports during the Middlesex against Surrey Championship match at Lord's to go and get the injection. He was the sporting a large amount of strapping on his wrist when he was interviewed during the tea interval.

Butcher still has six weeks to try and prove his fitness against the Ashes but his chances of regaining his spot are rapidly receeding. Ian Bell made full use of his two innings against Bangladesh to rack up 237 runs without being dismissed while Robert Key and Kevin Pietersen are now ahead of Butcher if batting places become available.

Butcher, who is in his first season as Surry captain but has yet to lead them on the field, originally suffered his injury during England's tour of South Africa last winter. He was left out of Cape Town Test and flew home shortly afterwards. He subsequently underwent surgery during February the hope that he would only miss the start of the season but a return to action is still some way away.