Statement by President Ricky Skerritt on the passing of Basil Butcher
Dec. 17, 2019, 3:08 p.m.
It is with great sadness that Cricket West Indies has learnt of the passing of West Indies batting legend Basil Fitzherbert Butcher. Born in Port Mourant, Berbice, Guyana on 3rd September 1933, to St Phillip, Barbados father Ethelbert Butcher and a Guyanese mother Matilda Butcher. Basil was the eldest and only boy in a family of 6 sisters. He later became part of a prolific West Indies batting lineup, that excited world cricket and brought great joy and pride to Guyanese and West Indian people everywhere. The name Basil Butcher is forever etched on the honours board at Lord’s cricket ground, as one of a select group of players who have scored a Test Hundred at Lords. Cricket West Indies would like to extend sincere condolences to Basil’s wife, Valerie Pamela Butcher, children Brian, Bruce, Basil Junior, Blossom and the extended Butcher family. West Indies Cricket has lost a legend and a proud pioneer. After his illustrious playing days, he served both West Indies and Guyana cricket selflessly off the field in administration
