ENGLAND batsman Mark Butcher's double century in Surrey's final counties league cricket match of the season, helped a 12-year-old North-East boy win the Daily Telegraph Fantasy Cricket Junior League.

Christopher Wheeler, from Darlington, County Durham, emerged as the top under-18s manager when Butcher's 69 points in the final week took his dream team to a total of 6,463, 18 ahead of his nearest rival.

"I entered last year, but I did not do very well," said Christopher, a Carmel School pupil, who will receive a trophy.

"This time I decided there would be some good points available from the Ashes series, and I picked Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. They both did very well, and Butcher's big century at Headingley helped.

"I wasn't always near the top. I moved up slowly and I'm really pleased to win it."

Christopher, an all-rounder who bowls offspin, plays for Darlington Under-13s. He had some help with his fantasy team from his father, Carl, who plays for Rockliffe Park in the Darlington and District League.