BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : AFRO-ENGLISH " ROLAND BUTCHER " IS A FORMER PROFESSIONAL CRICKETER WHO PLAYED IN THREE TEST AND THREE ODIs FROM 1980 TO 1981 : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS "

                  BLACK               SOCIAL             HISTORY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Roland Butcher (born Roland Orlando Butcher, 14 October 1953, St. Philip, Barbados)^[1] is a former English cricketer, who played in three Tests and three ODIs from 1980 to 1981. His brief international career was somewhat overshadowed by the death of Ken Barrington, and the 'Jackman affair'.^[1]

Life and career

A cousin of Basil, Roland Butcher had come to the United Kingdom at the age of thirteen.^[1] He was an aggressive middle-orderbatsman, who represented Middlesex between 1974 and 1990. His intuitive batting style owed much to the archetypical West Indian calypso flair.^[1] He "secured his place in history when he became the first black player to represent England".^[2]

In 1983, "he suffered a sickening injury which threatened his eyesight when struck by George Ferris", but managed to recuperate and return to the sport.^[2] Butcher had agreed to join a rebel tour of South Africa in 1989, led by his county captain Mike Gatting. However, "he withdrew when media reaction threatened the success of his benefit".^[2]

Butcher retired from playing professional cricket in 1990.