Tuesday, August 21, 2001
by Steven Lynch, Database Director
Mark Butcher's Headingley heroics have propelled him straight into the Wisden 100, our new ratings system which assesses every batting and bowling performance in Tests.

Yesterday's majestic 173 not out is rated at No. 48 on the alltime list, with a rating of 200.8 (out of 300). Top of the pile is Don Bradman's 270 for Australia against England at Melbourne in 1936-37, with a rating of 262.4.

Butcher's innings is rated the eighth-best innings ever for England, and their fifth-highest against Australia. Interestingly, four of England's top eight innings have come at Headingley, including Graham Gooch's epic 154 not out against the 1991 West Indians, which still tops the list.

Butcher has muscled in to rarefied company. He has separated Don Bradman's 334 in 1930 (another Headingley classic), which is 47th on the overall list, and Len Hutton's 364 at The Oval in 1938 which has slipped down to 49th.

The Butcher innings is the fourth one against this powerful Australian side to make it into the top 50, which emphasises the strength of the Aussie bowling. Brian Lara's two masterpieces in the Caribbean in 1998-99 lie second and 14th, while VVS Laxman's counter-blasting 281 at Calcutta earlier this year is at No. 6.

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