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Alan Butcher, a left-handed stroke-maker who captained both Surrey and
Glamorgan, began his county career as a left arm fast bowler. On one
occasion Surrey (for whom Alan is seen in action for above) went into a
Sunday league match with an opening attack consisting entirely of future
England batsmen, Butcher's partner being David Smith, who toured West
Indies under David Gower in the mid 1980s. Butcher was one of the many
England players to have made their debut in the last Test of the summer
and never been picked again. He had been a county professional for seven
years when he was chosen to play at the Oval in 1979.
The selectors
wanted to move skipper Mike Brearley down the batting order where they
hoped he would produce more runs. Butcher opened with Geoffrey Boycott
and made 14 and 20, but it was not enough to get him a spot on that
winter's tour to Australia, the vacancy going to Wayne Larkins. He had
two brothers who played first class cricket, one of whom, Ian, had a
longish career with Leicestershire. He captained Glamorgan for several
years and formed a prolific opening partnership with Hugh Morris. His
eldest son, Mark, followed him into the England side in the late 1990s.
Also left-handed, Mark bats in a similar style to his father. In fact
his elevation to the Test team forced Alan out of retirement to make up
the numbers for Surrey. Another son, Gary, has also played for Surrey
and Glamorgan. (Bob Harragan)
Teams:
England (Test: 1979)
England (ODI: 1980)
Surrey (1972-1998)
Marylebone Cricket Club (1976-1982)
Glamorgan (1987-1992)
Surrey (1971-1986)
Glamorgan (1987-1991)
Rest of England (Other FC: 1976)
Cricket Association of Bengal Overseas XI (1980/81)
International XI (1982/83)
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