Despite making a nervous start, Butcher dominated a 160-run third wicket partnership with Nasser Hussain (75) before playing on to Brett Lee having made 124 off 276 balls.

The stand helped England to overcome a disappointing start when they lost both openers inside the first 14 overs.

Lee had taken advantage of a rare chance with the new ball in Glenn McGrath's absence to deliver a superb five over spell which removed Michael Vaughan and could also have claimed the scalp of Butcher.

Vaughan had already played and missed to three successive Lee outswingers when he attempted to drive another in Lee's second over and instead edged behind to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist before he had scored.

Lee might have had a wicket with his next delivery when he had a strong appeal for leg before against Butcher which umpire Russell Tiffin turned down.

The Aussies were not to be denied though as Marcus Trescothick fell to yet another loose drive outside off stump and edged Andy Bichel to Gilchrist, who took a diving catch in front of first slip.

Butcher was given another reprieve two overs later when he drove Bichel low to Damien Martyn at gully, who failed to hold the low chance after he had made just 13, and he was also fortunate to survive when he edged Jason Gillespie behind only for Gilchrist to fumble a one-handed catch just seven runs short of his half-century.

Butcher then began to expand his strokeplay and moved confidently towards his half-century only to spend a nervous 19 minutes on 49.

Once past his 50, Butcher began playing with more freedom but almost fell five runs short of his century when he attempted to sweep only for the ball to bounce off the bottom edge onto his pad and Matthew Hayden collected the catch close to the wicket. However, umpire Dave Orchard denied the appeals.

But Australia did hit back after tea as Hussain gloved a rising delivery from Jason Gillespie to Gilchrist.

New batsman Robert Key followed eight overs later when Australian captain Steve Waugh struck with his sixth delivery to trap him leg before in his crease.

But after Butcher was dismissed, Alec Stewart eased the tension by striking four boundaries in a bright unbeaten 20 off 13 balls.