Butcher asks for leniency over Perera remarks

Mark Butcher, the England batsman, may have landed himself in a similar temperature of water to that of the Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist following comments concerning the legitimacy a Sri Lankan's bowling action.

Unlike Gilchrist, who this week questioned the action of the spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, Butcher's remarks, made in a local Surrey newspaper, were aimed at the left-arm seamer Ruchira Perera, who was reported by match officials at the end of the first Test.

Butcher wrote: "Having faced him for some time, I can say that he definitely straightens his arm. It's not so bad when the ball is pitched up but when he bowls short, he just runs up and throws it at you. I can't believe someone gets away with it."

Yesterday, Butcher said his comments were not meant to show any malice and he regretted them. "It was a bit silly of me," he said. "It was in a conversational-type form in a column I have ghosted and I said it without really thinking. I've probably landed myself in hot water in certain quarters. I just hope they'll be gentle with me."

There is a clause in a player's contract with the England Cricket Board which prohibits them from making personal attacks.