Player Profile (#51)...Ian Butler (New Zealand).

Ian Gareth Butler (born 24 November 1981 in Middlemore) is a New Zealand cricketer, but has dual UK/NZ citizenship.

Although overshadowed by express speedster Shane Bond, Butler's fast bowling has proved a potent force in itself. His ability to get lift from benign surfaces winning him a test best 6 for 46 against Pakistan in Wellington in 2004. Following a series of back injuries, he failed to establish himself as an automatic selection in an increasingly strong New Zealand side and hasn't appeared in first class cricket since December 2004 though he is still active in one day cricket for Northern Districts.

At the age of 17, he had his first professional contract with Penrith in Lake District. The following year, he played for Purley in London.

He's taken 113 first class wickets at 31.01 and played for Northern Districts from 2001/02 to 2004/05. In 2006/2007 he played for Northern Districts in 20/20 games.

He had English county stints with Gloucestershire in 2003 and Kent in 2004. In 2005, he played for Northants and Lashings.

In 2007 Ian played for Harborne Cricket Club in Birmingham, and trained some boys from King Edward's School Birmingham, Edgbaston. Many boys are of beginner to intermediate skill level (eg. Wrik Ghosh, Ben Harkom, Hugo Clay) but one name worthy of note amongst these is that of pace bowler Prithu Banerjee. Noted for his vicious in-swinging deliveries and hard hitting batting in the No.5 position, he is fast making a name in cricketing circles.

In 2008 he, again, played for Harborne Cricket Club, as well as Lashings Cricket Club in London.

Butler was recalled to the New Zealand squad in early 2009, and played in a Twenty20 International against Australia in Sydney.

He has most recently played in a Twenty20 series and one-day series against India.

Links to more info on Ian Butler:

Ian Butler on Procricket.co.nz

Ian Butler stats on Cricketarchive.com

Ian Butler on Cricinfo.com




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