But when thinking Butcher, think the second of the Trinidad Tests, the one England won, and you'll get the gist of why the selectors were OK with Alec Stewart's almost certain support of his brother-in-law and player who he believes has the essential technical skills that are required to repel the Donalds and Wasims given to other nations than England.
It was a shock when he was picked to bat at No 6 for the rematch at Port of Spain because he had faced only one ball on the tour, that ugly, unforgettable brute of a ball that did for him in Jamaica. It was an even bigger shock when the climax of an extraordinary game depended on his nerve. When Graham Thorpe was out, the 27 that were needed were no more of an obstacle than Jack Russell's manic short stay at the crease and England's long tail.
The point of this recital is that Butcher held himself together at a specifically demanding moment for his team and because he had no form for his ally he used his good cricket brain and inherent bravery to see England home. This was a considerable performance given the quality of the West Indian bowling and England's desperate need for victory. Because of that innings, and the 70-odd which helped rescue the Lord's Test from the Australians last year, comes the loyalty from the selectors.
``If I hadn't been in the team for this Test I would have been fine about it,'' he says, ``because I feel I am playing well enough to score loads of runs for Surrey and work my way back in. There's no point in getting in a state about it, I haven't played at my best for England yet so have no right to a place.''
Yet, now there's a word. Butcher is another batsman who was first chosen for England on promise rather than weight of runs at the time of selection. This is a two-edged sword because if the player fears failure, he may not do himself justice. The introverted Butcher who batted against Australia last summer, making only 659 first-class runs at the modest average of 31, was not the stylish and expressive Butcher who made 1,540 runs at an average of 53 in the 1996 season. The Butcher of '97 was in no sort of nick for Surrey, let alone for England, so the immaculate Australian bowling put the lock on his natural free-spirited play.
See him this summer batting beautifully for Surrey - he has made two hundreds already - and you see the unrestricted product. The straight blade, the easy timing through the leg side and even the trademark cover drive off the back foot which initially attracted the most attention to his talent when he was emerging through the junior ranks of Surrey cricket.
His blood is dripped in the game of course. Alan, his father, was a wonderfully natural left-handed opener too. Uncle Ian hit the ball outrageously hard and mostly for Leicestershire and brother Gary is playing decent cricket at Glamorgan right now. There are others in the dynasty but it is Alan who influences the most - especially as now he is a coach at Surrey - in his undemonstrative way.
``He will justify his selection,'' says his father, ``if he can break away from the worry of trying to be other people's perception of a Test player. He was too tight, too deliberate last year, he'll be more natural now.''
David Gilbert, the Australian who has coached Surrey for the past two years, agrees with Alan's view but is concerned with Mark's tendency to withdraw when things go against him. ``Mark's the pivotal man for Surrey,'' he says. ``If he scores heavily, so do the team. He is averaging 80 this year and Surrey are at the top - no coincidence there. The dressing room respond to him and both Hollioake and Stewart look to his view. When he is focused he is as good a batsman as the best of Mark Taylor and though when I first saw him I thought he lacked maturity, it's coming now and with it will come Test match runs.''
Butcher, who is 25, has his own thoughts on the maturity thing. ``I think Surrey have been brash as a team but are much less so this year. As we grow up there is less collective insecurity and confidence develops naturally rather than through a forced effort. I probably reflect that.
``From a personal angle, I'm beginning to realise how ambitious I am. I said to my wife recently that I wanted to be one of England's best-ever opening batsmen. I've got a bit to do, haven't I, so I'd better get on and make some runs.''