Facing Roberts, smashing china
Alan Butcher on wafting to his first hundred, a planned tantrum, and playing with his son
Interview by Jack Wilson
09-Jul-2012
Alan Butcher: "Be yourself" • Zimbabwe Cricket
First first-class hundred
I can't remember my first hundred - but my first first-class one came against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. I seem to remember wafting outside the off stump even more than usual and I must have played and missed about 400 times.
I can't remember my first hundred - but my first first-class one came against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. I seem to remember wafting outside the off stump even more than usual and I must have played and missed about 400 times.
First bowler I feared
Without doubt, in the early '70s it would have to have been Andy Roberts. He was playing a second-team game in Bournemouth while he was trialling for Hampshire and he was particularly dangerous. We'd played them on a pudding of a pitch a few weeks before, which was like playing on plasticine, and our opener kept charging him. It only served to make him more aggressive when we next played them.
Without doubt, in the early '70s it would have to have been Andy Roberts. He was playing a second-team game in Bournemouth while he was trialling for Hampshire and he was particularly dangerous. We'd played them on a pudding of a pitch a few weeks before, which was like playing on plasticine, and our opener kept charging him. It only served to make him more aggressive when we next played them.
First time I realised my son Mark might play international cricket
It was pretty early on. I first chucked a ball at him when he was about two in the back garden and he rocked on to his back foot and smashed it through extra cover with a straight bat. I remember thinking, "Oh okay, there's something there", and I thought then if I can keep him on the straight and narrow he's got half a chance.
It was pretty early on. I first chucked a ball at him when he was about two in the back garden and he rocked on to his back foot and smashed it through extra cover with a straight bat. I remember thinking, "Oh okay, there's something there", and I thought then if I can keep him on the straight and narrow he's got half a chance.
First time I lost my cool as a coach
I remember an incident when Surrey 2nds played against the MCC Young Cricketers. I think we ended up winning the game, but when we used to play them, a few experienced first-team guys didn't afford the MCC the respect they should have done, which was not a very pleasant trait. On one occasion I remember throwing the tea cups around at Shenley. It was all rehearsed and choreographed to an extent, and I had to do it to make a point. I know it shocked a lot of the players.
I remember an incident when Surrey 2nds played against the MCC Young Cricketers. I think we ended up winning the game, but when we used to play them, a few experienced first-team guys didn't afford the MCC the respect they should have done, which was not a very pleasant trait. On one occasion I remember throwing the tea cups around at Shenley. It was all rehearsed and choreographed to an extent, and I had to do it to make a point. I know it shocked a lot of the players.
First piece of advice for a young player
I always say - and I have just done the same to a young lad who has joined us in the Zimbabwe squad - be yourself. Don't try and be what myself or the other coaches are looking for. We want to see you as a player, not you trying to be someone else.
I always say - and I have just done the same to a young lad who has joined us in the Zimbabwe squad - be yourself. Don't try and be what myself or the other coaches are looking for. We want to see you as a player, not you trying to be someone else.