Guyanese of all walks of life but more so from the cricket fraternity yesterday reacted with shock to the news that the former Guyana and West Indies middle-order batsman, the legendary Basil Butcher was no more.
Tributes came from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and current West Indies selector Roger Harper who also weighed on the former cricket icon’s passing.
“It was with great sorrow that the executives and staff of the Guyana Cricket Board learnt of the passing of former Guyana and West Indies batsman, Basil Fitzherbert Butcher,” the statement from the GCB read.
“Butcher was clearly a great son of our soil, and has contributed tremendously to the cricket structure and development of Guyana’s cricket
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time, as we share their pain and grief. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Also expressing their sadness on the loss of a legend was President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Hilbert Foster.
“There are some people who you meet in life that would forever remain in your hearts and Basil Butcher was one of them that I had the privilege of meeting. He was the father of my eldest brother Keith but despite our vast age difference, we became close friends and he was a source of
inspiration to me. It was with deep shock that I learnt of his death yesterday and it is still difficult now to accept that this gentle soul of a human has left us. Without doubt, meeting him and getting to know him was one of the greatest joy in my life. Always with a smile on his face, a hand towel on his shoulders and a word of advice, Basil Butcher always lit up any room he walked into. He suffered no fool, never accepted low standards and never kept his opinions to himself, He was honest as they come.”
Foster went on: “He strongly believed in giving back and was a strong financial supporter of cricket in his home county despite living in Linden for many decades. Every time I asked him to talk to a young player, he was always willing to do so. He was a humble, down to earth and simple human being despite his legendary and role model status. I will miss him dearly and Berbice cricket is poorer with his passing. I am so pleased that we were able to honor him at both the BCB and RHTYSC levels during his lifetime, to make sure that he knew that we loved him. His teammates, like Rohan Kanhai and Joe Solomon are both getting on in life and we would like to wish both of them the best of health.
“To his family especially Aunt Pam, my brother Keith and the entire family, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies on behalf of my entire family.”
Reacting to Butcher’s passing, former West Indies and Guyana off-spinner Harper, told Stabroek Sports that though his death was a sad event, his lifetime’s achievements were worth celebrating.
“It is sad that we have lost a legend of Guyana and West Indies Cricket and I think his is a life that is truly worth celebrating. He really had a positive impact on Guyana and West Indies cricket and is a true legend and the game is that much better because he played.”
Often described as the linchpin in the West Indies batting order in the 1960s, Butcher was a dependable batsman who played alongside fellow greats such as Rohan Kanhai, Wes Hall, Gary Sobers, Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, Roy Fredericks, Stephen Camacho and the late Sir Frank Worrell.
He played 44 test matches for West Indies between 1958 and 1969 and scored 3104 runs with a best of 209 not out against England in Nottingham in 1966. Butcher scored seven centuries and 16 half centuries and also took five wickets with his leg break bowling.
Butcher was born the only son of seven children to a Barbadian father, Ethelbert and Guyanese mother, Matilda and played his local cricket for the Port Mourant Sports Club.
