'I played Tests too early'
Ian Butler talks about his highs and lows, the thrill of playing at Otago, and the biggest dressing-room joker he's seen

"Coaching at the elite level isn't so much technical, it's about working out how 15 different players need to be treated" • BCCI
It just shows that what is the medically "normal" diagnosis of an injury can be worked through. Maybe my back wasn't in a great shape but over the last few years it hasn't got any worse - and I know how to manage it.
In no way did I ever fill them. He was a superb bowler and was one of the players I aspired to emulate. The biggest issue was learning for my first few years of cricket at the international level. I had played two List A games and three first-class games when I was picked. I had no idea about how to play any form of cricket. I didn't know my game and to say I was very fresh was an understatement.
That's something I have to consider. We have such depth now that maybe it's an option, a fresh challenge that can sometimes stimulate that never-ending search to be the best you can be. In the early days it wasn't even something that crossed my mind as you always dream of representing your country against the best in the world.
Leaving the culture we have got at Otago cricket. They are great people throughout, from the players to the staff.
Lots. The doubts are part of any sport. My way through that is to focus on the steps. You must prove your worth to get picked at provincial level, and with the wickets we play on in New Zealand and the boundary sizes, it's a tough game as a bowler. In a way, now you can relax. If you do the job and contribute to a successful team on and off the field then you give yourself a chance of higher honours.
No one ever gives up. Before the hiccup this summer I was in the ODI and T20 side, but with the emergence of so many quality allrounders and seamers, I'm probably behind the eight ball. I can't control the players in front of me so I just focus on what I can do to help Otago win games.
The Test series win in West Indies with Bondy and [Daryl] Tuffey was pretty special. Also, the Volts' 16-game T20 winning streak through our domestic competition and into the Champions League was amazing to be a part of. They are a great bunch of guys with so much talent and belief. We managed to win games from positions we shouldn't have.
I would say Tests. Sadly I played too early to have a good record, and got injured just as I started to understand my game - but it's the pinnacle and what the best are remembered by.
Mike Hesson and John Bracewell were two that stood out to me. Sadly Braces had me as a young tearaway and probably tore his hair out! The strength of both of them was man-management. Coaching at the elite level isn't so much technical, it's about working out how 15 different players need to be treated to maximise performance. Hess outlined my roles well and gave me confidence to play them without fear. Bowling at the death and batting in clutch situations in limited-overs games requires that.
Baz [Brendon McCullum] is awesome for his aggression and no fear. He always wants you to take the foot-forward option and if you back your plan he will too. I also enjoyed Dan's [Daniel Vettori] captaincy. He has a great cricket brain and didn't say much. When he did it was always spot on.
Chris Harris. What a legend. There was never a boring second with him around. He'd always be trying to kick some object a metre above eye level. One moment of hilarity that sticks was him in India throwing biscuits up into the circulating fan blades. The changing room was covered in biscuit particles. Harry thought this was great fun until he was told to clean it all up.
Scott Styris. He's a constant chatterer about cricket trivia questions that he is the answer to.
Neither appeal, really. I'll go with the tackle and hope the ground is soft.
Daryl Tuffey. He's the world's best player of the coin-game Spoof. Aaron Redmond has an obsession with anyone owning a snapback cap. Maybe it's to cover the hint of a comb-over.
Scott Styris. He's the clear winner.