New Zealand

Ian Butler

Born: November 24, 1981, Middlemore, Auckland

Ian Butler bio

Ian Gareth Butler is a renowned cricketer hailing from New Zealand, known for his skills as a fast bowler. Born on March 7, 1982, in Mosgiel, Otago, Butler’s talent and enthusiasm for the sport have made him a valuable asset to the New Zealand cricket team.

Butler’s journey in international cricket began when he was given the opportunity to fill in for the injured Shane Bond. Although not as fast as Bond, Butler possessed youthful vigor and the potential to develop even greater speed. Moreover, he showcased an exceptional ability to extract troublesome lift from surfaces that others found difficult to exploit.

After making his Test debut in 2001, Butler had a few sporadic appearances until his breakthrough tour of India in 2003. He made an impressive showing in the second Test, proving himself capable of consistently bowling at a good pace on the relatively tame surface at Mohali. His dedication and perseverance paid off when he recorded his Test-best figures of 6 for 46 against Pakistan in Wellington in 2004.

Despite his early successes, Butler experienced a setback and found himself out of the Test squad in 2004. However, he was called up to the one-day squad as a replacement for the injured Shane Bond during New Zealand’s tour of England. Unfortunately, his performance in the limited-overs format did not meet expectations, and he was subsequently dropped from the national team.

Determined to make a comeback, Butler worked hard on his game and enjoyed a fruitful domestic season, which led to his inclusion in the Twenty20 squad for matches against Australia in 2009. His excellent performance in that series, where he claimed four wickets, earned him a recall to the one-day side. This marked a significant turning point in Butler’s career as he once again showcased his ability to excel on the international stage.

Throughout his playing career, Butler exhibited resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering dedication to improving his skills. While injuries and form slumps occasionally hindered his progress, he always managed to bounce back stronger. This determination earned him respect among his teammates and fans alike.

A quick glance into Butler’s career statistics provides further evidence of his impact on the game. With an impressive tally of wickets and notable match-winning performances, he left an indelible mark on New Zealand cricket. Moreover, his reputation as a dependable bowler and team player earned him the trust of the selectors, ensuring his representation in various formats of the game.

Ian Gareth Butler’s inspiring journey as a cricketer continues to serve as a testament to his unwavering passion and talent. As he strives for excellence on and off the field, his captivating bowling style and relentless pursuit of success have cemented his place as one of New Zealand’s most cherished cricketers.

Ian Butler career stats

Batting stats

Batting Matches Innings Nos Runs High score Ave BF SR 100s 50s 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 8 10 2 76 26 9.5 163 46.62 0 0 10 1 4 0
T20Is 19 6 5 5 2* 5 10 50 0 0 0 0 3 0
ODIs 26 13 5 84 25 10.5 154 54.54 0 0 6 2 8 0
FC 72 95 28 1261 73* 18.82 - - 0 5 - - 16 0
List A 111 72 19 838 53* 15.81 - - 0 1 - - 24 0
T20s 87 55 25 521 46* 17.36 379 137.46 0 0 19 39 22 0

Bowling stats

Bowling Matches Innings Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10w
Tests 8 14 1368 884 24 6/46 7/146 36.83 3.87 57 1 1 0
T20Is 19 18 358 481 23 3/19 3/19 20.91 8.06 15.5 0 0 0
ODIs 26 25 1109 1038 28 4/44 4/44 37.07 5.61 39.6 1 0 0
FC 72 - 11041 6315 204 6/46 - 30.95 3.43 54.1 12 4 1
List A 111 - 4936 4461 136 5/33 5/33 32.8 5.42 36.2 3 2 0
T20s 87 83 1690 2329 104 6/28 6/28 22.39 8.26 16.2 1 1 0

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