MARK Butcher is turning into a run machine England can rely on to help them post the big Test match totals they need, according to Marcus Trescothick.

That conclusion came from close quarters as Butcher's second-wicket partner Trescothick reflected on a rain-curtailed first day's play at Old Trafford on which England made 273 for four against Sri Lanka.

Butcher finished the day unbeaten on 85 out of a total which gives England an outstanding chance of building on their 1-0 lead and wrapping up the series victory in this third and final Test.

But it was the assurance of Butcher's approach in his unfinished 166-ball innings and the feeling there remains so much power to add which most impressed his fellow left-hander Trescothick, who himself contributed 81 to the cause at the top of the order.

"He is playing very well. You can see that from the amount of runs he is scoring," said Trescothick.

"But I think his mental approach has changed too over the last two years.

"You would see him get to 70 or so, but now he is churning the scores out machine-like."

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND first innings

M Trescothick c Jayawardene b Muralitharan...81

M Vaughan c Vaas b Fernando...36

M Butcher not out...85

N Hussain c Muralitharan b Fernando...16

G Thorpe c Sangakkara b Upashantha...32

A Stewart not out...7

Extras...16

Total (4wkts, 72 overs)...273

Bowling: Vaas 17-4-50-0; Upashantha 7-0-50-1; Fernando 18-2-87-2; Muralitharan 29-9-74-1; de Silva 2-0-5-0.