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B.F. Butcher

133

B.F. Butcher 133 v EnglandBack to boards

Basil Butcher earned his place on the Honours Boards with a match saving 133 for the West Indies against England in June 1963 - the first test century by a Guyanese at Lord’s.

Carrying a slender four-run lead from the first innings, the West Indian batting line up was blown away second time around by Fred Trueman and Derek Shackleton, with only Butcher able to resist. His characteristically determined 133 - exactly 100 runs more than the next highest contributor - dragged the Windies to 229 all out, setting England a target of 234 to win.

What followed was a fifth-day finish for the ages. With two balls remaining in the game, England lost their 9th wicket, still needing six runs for victory. Out strode Colin Cowdrey to the middle, his left arm cast in plaster having been broken by a fierce Wes Hall short ball earlier in the match.

Fortunately for Cowdrey, the ninth wicket had fallen to a run out at the non-striker’s end, so he was able to use his one good arm to lean firmly on his bat whilst David Allen blocked out the final two deliveries for a scintillating draw.

Butcher’s was the standout performance though, the game’s only century, and a knock which proved vitally important in West Indies eventually winning the series.