Butcher expected to be fit for Test despite blow to head

England, already blighted by injuries, were given another scare today when batsman Mark Butcher was taken to hospital after being hit on the head by a bouncer.

He was opening the batting for Surrey against Warwickshire at Edgbaston and had made just three when he was struck on the ear protector as he tried to hook South African-born Neil Carter.

Butcher was badly dazed and suffered a cut ear. He received treatment on the pitch and was then taken to hospital for a precautionarey scan.

Surrey coach Keith Medlycott said: "He'll probably have a headache for a day or two but he should be okay for the Test."

The left-hander was named today in England's squad for the Third npower Test against Australia at Trent Bridge on Thursday. He top-scored in the second innings of the Lord's Test with 83.

Already England are without injured skipper Nasser Hussain, as well as the ailing Graham Thorpe, Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard.