BCB expresses sadness on the death of Basil Butcher

Dec 18, 2019 Sports

It is with deep sadness that we learnt of the death of our cricketing legend, Basil F Butcher a release from the board informed. Mr. Butcher died Monday after a long illness in the USA. Basil Butcher in 1958 became the third Berbician to play test cricket and went on to represent the West Indies in 44 test matches before his premature retirement in 1969 at the age of 36. He scored 3104 runs at the respectable average of 43.11 with seven centuries and 16 fifties. His highest score was 209 not out.
In 169 first class matches, this legendary Berbician scored 11,628 at the high average of 49.90 with 31 centuries and 54 fifties. He took 67 first class catches and claimed 40 wickets with his part time leg spin. Basil Butcher also had the best bowling figure for a Berbician for many years before Devendra Bishoo replaced him. He took 5 for 34 vs England.
The BCB salutes the memory of this great and legendary man who would always have a special place in our heart and those who had the joy of seeing him bat during his career. He was inducted into our Hall of Fame, is a deserved member of our all time Berbice eleven and received our highest award, The Tribute to Heroes.
Mr. Butcher was also the father of our past President, Mr. Keith Foster and was a close friend of our current President. He was well known across the Caribbean for his views on West Indies cricket and was very concerned on the ongoing crisis in our cricket. For many years, he was a major donor to Berbice cricket and was always willing to share his vast knowledge with the younger players. After his retirement, he served West Indies cricket as Chairman of Selector and Manager.
We would like to urge all cricket clubs in our county to honour this great man in some way special and a minute of silence should be held before any BCB matches.
The President and Executives of the BCB would like to express our deepest Sympathies to the family of the late Basil Butcher and wishes to assure them that we share their grief. It is our hope that God will bless them during this difficult moment and provide them with love. We have lost a great cricketer and the world is a lot poorer without his charm, kindness and love of humanity. It is our hope that every young cricketer in the county would work hard to emulate Basil Butcher, so that his legacy would live on.
Rest in Peace, our Hero, Friend and Mentor-we shall miss you. Thanks for the memories and the inspirations over the years. We at the BCB would continue to work hard every day to make sure that the legacy started by John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, Ivan Madray, Joe Solomon and Basil Butcher would continue in the future and that their names would forever be in the hearts of every cricket loving Berbicians.

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