Butcher cuts Aussies to size

Mark Butcher cemented his place in cricket history as he scored an unbeaten 173 to lead England to a remarkable victory over Australia in the fourth Test at Headingley.

The home side, totally outclassed in the previous three matches, chased down a victory target of 315, the second highest total ever achieved by England to win a Test, as they clinched victory by six wickets.

Butcher, who had shared a 181-run stand for the third wicket with Nasser Hussain before putting on 75 with Mark Ramprakash for the fourth, dashed from the field in delight.

Australia, who had made a bold second-innings declaration on Sunday evening to try and keep their dream of only the second 5-0 whitewash in Ashes history alive, were left wondering what might have been after reducing England to 33 for two earlier in the day.

The left-handed Butcher, only recalled for the series after a string of injuries to first choice players, single-handedly dismantled the world's best pace attack on a pitch expected to favour the bowlers, mixing lavish square cuts and front-foot drives to both sides of the wicket.

Detailed Scorecard

Mail Cricket Editor