Mark Butcher continued his golden summer with his fifth Test century, an innings that was again notable for his new sober batting style - and his increasing mastery of Muttiah Muralitharan. When he began in Test cricket, Butcher struggled dismally against spin, but his improvement has been obvious, both this summer and in India last winter. As our graph shows, Butcher played Murali off the front foot over 70% of the time (58 balls out of 82), a sensible choking tactic to get to the ball before it rips and spits off the pitch.

At The Oval four years ago Butcher was mugged when he charged Murali without any conviction and missed, but today leaving the crease was his most profitable method of run-scoring. When he did so, runs came at a rate of 9.43 runs per over. When he stayed put that plummeted to 1.12 over.

Butcher's renaissance has been remarkable for a man who looked washed up as an international batsman this time last year. Since his return to the England side he has scored 1186 runs, more than anyone in the world except Matthew Hayden. His last three innings in this series have been 105, 94 and 123. When you consider that he was run out in the first, bowled by a wonder ball in the second, and sawn-off yesterday, his performance is even more impressive.

Rob Smyth is on the staff of Wisden.com.

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