Ian Butler
 

I saw this guy against england in t20 today and was just awesome. Also saw him in 2009 against India and at times was unplayable there. He length is impeccable, with a nagging off stump line in the Mcgrath mould. I also heard before injuries that he was a very fast bowler (not that he needs the extra pace with such good lenght and seam movement). It is a real shame this guy could not overcome injuries otherwise couldd have been a major test prospect. I feel he is one of the major players of our time not to fulfill his potential- hopefully now he will enjoy a mid career resurgenece.

I remember him being quite ordinary

2nd Test: New Zealand v Pakistan at Wellington, Dec 26-30, 2003 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

6/46 vs Pak- showed glimpses of his potential, only played 8 test matches

He's solid, nice action etc, but really he is nothing too special. After demolishing his back he lost pace which would have made him deadly, but is still a solid 135k bowler.

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__...x-Blakey56.jpg

I'll get you, Butler!

Was a decent bat too iirc.

It's pretty good he's managed to get his pace back up to the mid to late 130's. I remember when he was making a comeback for ND very much as a batting allrounder. Apparently before the back injuries he was clocked at 150kph. NZ could have had quite a potent opening combination with Shane Bond the other opening bowler at the time.

When Ian Butler was young and in the Black Caps he wasn't very fast and he wasn't very good. He's a better bowler now than he ever was imo. I don't remember him clocking much higher than 145kph either, so his 150kph-ness may have been ocassional.

Yeah, he pretty much started first class cricket and was straight into the Black Caps. I briefly saw him playing under 19's, but was overseas when he debuted and can't remember seeing him bowl on tv pre-injury.

Do you think he would be near test selection now? He wouldn't get past Boult, Bracewell or Southee, but maybe if they wanted to play 4 seamers?

Leading wicket taker iirc so he'll probably be talked about when they're picking reserves.

If Butler did play, how would you order Dougeh, Southee and him in a batting order I wonder. That is probably his angle tbh, averaging 36 in an admittedly farcical lusty lower-order summer.

I find it funny how media are running the "inspirational return from injury" story- that was the case when he made his way back into the team 4 years ago. Since then he hasn't been in the team because he just isn't very good. His injury troubles were all 2004-2008ish.

Also, they're pushing the "he used to be quick but has reinvented himself" angle. No. His run-up, action and speeds are all pretty much identical now to when he was first in the team. I don't recall him ever bowling above low 140s.

I remember him hitting 151ks a long time ago. I remember because he was only the second NZer to be clocked over 150, with Bond. Then he broke down not long after.