Basil Butcher

Who is Basil Butcher?

Basil Fitzherbert Butcher is a former West Indian cricketer who played in 44 Tests from 1958 to 1969. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1970.

Basil Butcher was a wristy batsman and was a consistent number 4 and 5 in the West Indies side. He made an immediate impact on the international scene with 64 not out on debut against India in 1958-59 and finishing with 486 runs at 69.42. He struggled until the 1963 tour of England, where he rediscovered his form by making 383 runs which included an innings of 133 from a team total of just 229, helping the West Indies to a draw at Lord's. The innings became legendary because during the interval he had received news through a letter that his wife had had a miscarriage back home in Guyana.

Butcher was an occasional legspinner. He took 5 Test wickets which all came in the one innings, 5 for 34 against England at Port-of-Spain in 1967-68.