Dear Editor,
I offer my sincere condolences to Basil Butcher’s widow, sons and daughter. He was a great, Hall of Fame Guyanese and West Indian cricketer.
I met Basil Butcher a number of times. He was an amusing and very knowledgeable companion. Huge respect for his achievements.
Professor Clem Seecharan tells me the following little story which I like. In his great 133 against England at Lords Basil reached his century by hitting three juicy half-volleys from Derek Shackleton to the boundary by the pavilion steps. Frank Worrell, his captain and partner at the wicket, came down and warmly congratulated him. Then — “Son of a bitch, Basil, I’ve played with Shack for 20 years and he never even once bowled me a half-volley!”
Rest in peace and glory, these great and wonderful West Indians.
Yours faithfully,
Ian McDonald
