Mark Butcher hit a stylish century to put England in a commanding position in the first Test against Zimbabwe on Friday.
Butcher, given two let-offs on the first day, unfurled a string of fine off-side strokes to make 137 out of a total of 472 against some wayward bowling at Lord's.
Zimbabwe, in their first innings, closed the second day on 48 for one after young pace bowler James Anderson bowled Mark Vermeulen with an inswinger to claim his first Test wicket with his 20th delivery.
The left-handed Butcher, who hit 90 in boundaries, dominated as the batting conditions improved before falling to a fine catch at short midwicket after a six-and-a-half-hour stay.
It was his seventh Test hundred, his second best score at the highest level and the best Test score by an Englishman against Zimbabwe.
