Quotes of the Week

"We do not have a television on during play at The Oval, so I just saw the aftermath. I'm sure we will get together at some point to celebrate." Alan Butcher, Mark's father, after being forced back into first-class action aged 44 for Surrey on the very day his son made his maiden Test century.

"I thought the boys were winding me up. I just couldn't fathom it out. I couldn't understand what was going on. Then I heard he was driving back to bat at The Oval. I can't believe it. I'll have to ring him up." The view of Butcher Jnr on his father's eventful day.

"The Gazza situation still goes on. The door is not shut for him. He needs to be fitter than ever before, and I will be looking very closely as to how he starts the season. There are a few players in the same situation - Matthew Le Tissier, for instance." Glenn Hoddle, the England coach, explains why he left Paul Gascoigne out of his 29-strong training squad.

"Hopefully by the first game, I'll be fine again, so what's the problem? I realise that I get paid a lot of money to keep myself fit so I'm getting my head down." John Hartson, the West Ham striker, responds to jibes that he is overweight.