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Otago Volts and BLACKCAP pace bowler Ian Butler is once again proving his mettle in the heat of the cricket battle.
He claimed a record-breaking six wicket haul for just 28 runs against the Auckland Aces on the weekend to help his team to a stunning victory in the HRV Cup.
But, Butler is not only is he pushing for a spot in the HRV Cup final, he’s also out to prove he’s got what it takes to play Twenty20 on the international scene.
Butler has been the stand out bowler in the inaugural HRV Cup and has recorded the best ever figures in by a New Zealand bowler, surpassing Jacob Oram’s 5/14 against the Otago Volts in the second round. He said he wasn’t thinking about passing Oram’s milestone and instead was focused on helping the Volts secure the victory. “Everything happened so quickly. That’s the nature of Twenty20 cricket. Some days you bowl really well and don’t get anything, so it’s nice to be rewarded with wickets,” he said.
Butler, who has played 12 international Twenty20 matches for the BLACKCAPS, is hoping to secure a spot in the international team for the up coming series against Bangladesh that starts on February 3 in Hamilton. “I’ve done really well for New Zealand in the Twenty20 format. But I don’t take things for granted,” he said. “It’s nice to play well at the right time and hopefully I’ll feature in the line-up for the Bangladesh series.”
Even though the international series is looming, Butler is firmly focused on helping the Volts make it to the HRV Cup final and ultimately lift the silverware for the second season in a row. He said this week the Volts face off against some stiff competition in the final three rounds, with clashes against both Central Stags and Auckland Aces who are both pushing for a finals berth.
“The Stags are probably the best team on paper and Auckland is doing really well. We’ve got some tough challenges ahead,” Butler said. “We’ve got a well balanced side with our bowling unit doing a good job and a deep batting line-up but an individual can win you the game and an individual can take a game away from you.”
Over the next week Butler and his other BLACKCAP Volt team mates will square off against some big names from the international side including Ross Taylor, Gareth Hopkins and Jacob Oram. “It’s been brilliant playing against the BLACKCAPS team mates. It’s not something you get to do often and it brings a whole different edge to the game,” he concluded.
Butler currently leads the HRV Cup MVP - http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/domestic/mvp/69/hrv-cup-twenty20/series-player-points.aspx
