SURREY and England legend Mark Butcher has announced his retirement from cricket with immediate effect.

Butcher, who has scored 17,870 first class runs at an average of 40.70, has been battling a serious knee injury since May 2008 and has already undergone three major operations.

Since making his first-class debut in 1992, Butcher has played 182 times for Surrey and in 71 Test Matches for England. He will be long remembered for an incredible innings of 173 not out that brought England victory in the fourth Ashes Test Match of 2001 and is now widely recognised as one of the greatest Ashes knocks of all time.

"It was a very tough decision to walk away from the club that I have called home since I was a boy and the game that has given me so many great memories but, I feel that it is the right time to move onto the next chapter in my life," said Butcher.

"I look back very fondly on my twenty years as a player at Surrey, in my opinion the best place to play cricket in the land, and am also very proud to have represented my country. I would like to thank all the coaches, players, supporters and administrative staff that have helped me along the way and made the last twenty years incredibly special."

During his 20 year career Butcher was recognised as one of the finest number three batsmen to ever play for England as well as becoming a true legend of Surrey, scoring 12,181 runs at 44.45 and taking 187 catches.

David Stewart, the Chairman of Surrey, said: "On the field Mark Butcher was one of the finest Surrey batsmen I have ever had the privilege to watch and a major contributor to our many successes of recent times.

"Off the field Mark has been the perfect ambassador for the club at all times. He has come through our development system to reach the highest level but has never forgotten his roots at Surrey and has constantly played a major role in furthering the club in all areas.

"We wish him the very best in whatever the future may hold and hope he will continue his association with the club for a long time in the future."

Surrey Professional Cricket Manager Chris Adams also paid tribute to Butcher.

"I had the privilege of touring with Mark in 1999/2000 and I got to see first-hand what a fine batsman he really was," he said. "I also got a glimpse of the man, and that told me that here was a talented cricketer for sure but a cricketer whose attitude and work ethic were of the highest order.

"In the short time that we have had working together I would like to thank Mark for his contribution in what we are trying to achieve in this new era at Surrey.

"He has never once let his personal anguish and frustrations with the injury affect his decision making with regards to team affairs and has 100 per cent endorsed the vision and journey that has only just begun.

"It is always sad when long and distinguished careers prematurely come to an end, but Mark can be very proud of all that he achieved. My father has always told me that many are called but few are chosen. Mark will be recorded as one of those privileged few and I wish him a long and successful future."