"Robert Henderson" <Philip@anywhere.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:2MD3PVFlgZF$Ew6G@anywhere.demon.co.uk...
> In article <bf3sln$9n4$1@sparta.btinternet.com>, Dean Jarratt <d.jarratt
> @ukonline.spamless.co.uk> writes
> >"Robert Henderson" <Philip@anywhere.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
> >news:XVXvJIA1WBF$Ew$F@anywhere.demon.co.uk...
> >> At 3.30 pm Ed Smith was 157* against Lancashire. That is 5 centuries, 4
> >> CC,  in two weeks.
> >>
> >> Mmmmm...that problematic no 3 England  spot shouldn't be problematic
> >> much longer. RH
> >
> >It's not problematic damn it!
> >
> So, a no 3 averaging 35 or less in three out of four consecutive series
> before this season is not cause for concern? RH

England v Zimbabwe 2003 - Butcher 184 runs @ 92 avg.
Australia v England 02-03 - Butcher 318 runs @ 31.8 avg.
England v India 2002 - Butcher 212 runs @ 35.33 avg.
England v Sri Lanka 2002 - Butcher 339 runs @ 84.75 avg.
New Zealand v England 01-02 - Butcher 176 runs @ 29.33 avg.
India v England 2001 - Butcher 215 runs @ 43.00 avg.

Totalling 1444 runs @ 43.76 avg.

I don't know where you got your figures, but that's the last six series and
I have no cause for concern with that set of figures. If you ask me, I'd say
Butcher looks to be getting better with every innings.