Cricket England v Zimbabwe: Mark Butcher's concerns about his domestic and international future spurred him to another sparkling performance and guided England to a commanding total in the opening Test against Zimbabwe yesterday.

Despite a century in his previous Test, at Sydney last January, and an impressive record for his country over the last couple of years, Butcher's place has been under scrutiny with the movement for change gathering momentum.

As if to emphasise his value to the side, he responded by hitting a brilliant 137, which helped England score a formidable 472.

That total was aided by an impressive maiden innings of 69 from Yorkshire captain Anthony McGrath, the first England player to score a half-century on his debut since Marcus Trescothick three years earlier.

If McGrath's impressive display was not vindication enough for England's selectors, James Anderson, another making his debut, also rewarded their bold approach by claiming a wicket with his 20th ball and helping reduce Zimbabwe to 48 for one by the close of the second day.

But it was Butcher who had set the standards, progressing from 52 overnight to score a brilliant century, having been given more than his share of good fortune on the opening day when he survived a confident lbw appeal on 10 and then was dropped on 36.

Yesterday, though, he dominated the Zimbabwe attack for over six hours until he was brilliantly caught by Mark Vermeulen at mid-on.

Neither Robert Key, who is still attempting to establish himself in England's middle order after a promising Ashes series, nor Alec Stewart was able to demonstrate the same mastery as Butcher and both were dismissed after edging Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak behind to wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu.

That gave McGrath the opportunity to express his undoubted talents as he strove to become the first England batsman to score a century on his debut since Graham Thorpe 10 years earlier but was halted 31 runs short.