It was a tale of two Londoners: a left-hander from Croydon providing further evidence of his emergence as a Test player of substance; the other, an aging 39 year old from Merton, fighting to prolong a long Test career onto one further Ashes battle and his fourth World Cup.

Mark Butcher, 29, on 85 overnight, strode out to the middle after a washed out morning and quickly marched to his fifth Test century – the third since he returned to the side last summer after an injury to Graham Thorpe. Indeed, his second coming has been a revelation.

After making his debut against the Australians in 1997 he developed a reputation for throwing his wicket away. He'd play him himself in diligently only to allow the red mist to descend. But this summer he has batted with a single-minded ruthlessness. In the 14 Tests since his recall he averages 49.4 compared to an unsatisfactory 24.56 before.

Marcus Trescothick claimed yesterday that Butcher's "mental approached had changed" but he preferred a simpler explanation for his increased productivity: "I think it's because I'm playing well. When you know that if a bad ball comes along you're going to hit it for four – it helps your patience and stops you from searching out the bad balls."

At Lord's he grafted a fine defensive 105, saving England's summer, then at Edgbaston he played second fiddle to Trescothick. He looked destined for another there until Muttiah Muralitharan conjured up a wonder ball that spun 27 inches from outside his leg-stump. Here he played with great authority, in a game that he so nearly didn't play.

"On Tuesday the knee was really sore and I didn't think I would be able to play. But I had a fantastic net, really middling the ball," he revealed. "I persuaded them to delay a decision and by Thursday it felt fine."

The rest is history but he still needs an operation. Although he still maintains aspirations of claiming a regular place in the one-day side as well, the month that follows this Test provides a month's window for surgery; an opportunity he will take pending the advice of his specialist and the ECB.

He certainly won the support of this Manchester crowd. They had a frustrating day with only 117 minutes cricket because of rain – then, when the sun finally peeped through the slate grey skies, cricket's absurd obsession for punctual dining meant the play could start because the players were scoffing their teatime scones. But whilst David Orchard and Steve Bucknor may have endured the ignominy of being booed for not forcing the players onto the field sooner, Butcher's century prompted a flurry of waving England flags.

But Butcher has always been a man of the people. He carries with him an air of normality and his emotions, the highs and the lows, are left open for all to see. It's a persona that supporters can relate to. The fact that he is also a gentle rebel – the ECB's fine for his comments on Ruchira Perera's action the latest example – only makes him more endearing.

If Butcher attracts affection, his Surrey teammate Alec Stewart commands admiration. Here he was playing his 118th Test, drawing level with Graham Gooch's England record, but with his place in the side under extreme pressure. Had he failed here then it could well have been his last Test. But, sure enough, he produced an innings of substance, playing shots with a crispness that matches his starched appearance.

He finished the day on 57 and appears destined for greater things. Don't be surprised if, by the time England's footballers in their second round encounter in Japan hear the final whistle, he's scored his first hundred for two years. And with the jubilee air still lingering, don't be surprised if he doesn't dedicate it to the Queen.

© CricInfo