(MANCHESTER) Mark Butcher's confidence is rising with every Test match innings - and England's new run machine admits he expects to succeed whenever he takes guard.

Butcher duly converted his first day 85 not out into his fifth Test hundred on the second day of England's 3rd Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford where only 28 overs were possible between the rain.

He went on to 123 out of a first-innings 377-6 as England seek to wrap up victory in a series they lead by an unbeatable 1-0.

But none of his recent success has surprised Butcher, who has turned himself from an unremarkable cricketer in relative terms into a near first-choice pick in England's Test batting order.

``Not in a big-headed way, I am expecting myself to score runs in Test matches every time I walk to the wicket,'' said the Surrey left-hander. ``I can definitely say that was not the case a year ago - but it is now.''

Butcher has shown himself capable of tailoring his innings to suit the match situation but believes the simple attribute of being in good form is the most important asset when it comes to taking command of the crease.

``I think the key is just batting well,'' he said. ``Knowing that if you get a bad ball you will hit it for four makes you patient; you don't mind waiting for the bad one.

``Whereas if you are not playing well you are not so patient; you go looking for the ball, and before you know it you can have got yourself out.''

Unsurprisingly Butcher traces the beginnings of his increased confidence to his immortal 173 not out which led England to a thrilling Ashes Test victory at Headingley last August.

``Confidence-wise that innings is massive,'' he said. ``To have played a match-winning innings against the best side in the world against the run of the series, it makes you think you can cope with most things.''

Since then he has contributed contrasting innings of 105 at Lord's and 92 at Edgbaston to the England cause in Tests this summer.

``At Lord's it took me about three days to get a hundred. I think it is just trying to play to whatever pace the game requires really,'' he said. ''At Lord's it was bat for as long as you can. Then at Edgbaston Marcus (Trescothick) was bashing it al over the place, so I left it to him.''

Butcher, unsure whether to commit himself to this match because he was struggling with a knee injury which is expected to require surgery, confirmed he is most unlikely to make himself available for the forthcoming NatWest one-day series.

He has never figured in England's one-day international plans - despite his ability to score quickly against high-class bowling - but the indications are that he will be considered in limited-overs cricket in the build-up to next winter's World Cup.

``With the NatWest I could get involved in it and be selected and then I would break down halfway through,'' he predicted. ``Then I could miss the first two matches of the India (Test) series.

``I think it is probably best that I miss the NatWest Series and get in good shape for the ICC (Trophy in Sri Lanka). Fortunately there is a gap now between the end of this match and the 1st Test against India.''

Mixing in a mischievous reference to his recent England and Wales Cricket Board fine and forthcoming hearing over his comments about Sri Lanka bowler Ruchira Perera's action, Butcher made it clear he intends to accede to the wishes of his employers.

``If the ECB say I need to have an operation on Tuesday I will have one - because I always do as I am told,'' he promised.

15 Jun, 2002