Roland Butcher

Roland Butcher, England's first Black cricketer, reflects on his career and the persistent racism in cricket and British society. He acknowledges progress since the 1970s and 1980s, including his withdrawal from a South Africa rebel tour.

Roland Butcher was just 14 when he moved to England from Barbados. Since most of his family was already staying in the United Kingdom, Butcher’s father decided to move to England. Butcher, even after leaving Barbados, never stopped chasing his dreams of becoming an international cricketer.

Former England batsman Roland Butcher feels India skipper Virat Kohli will have to play a dual role, as per the situation, in the five-match Test series against England, starting today at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Butcher, who played three Tests and three ODIs for England between 1980 and 1981, says Kohli needs to bat aggressively like Rohit Sharma or hold the fort patiently like Pujara if the situation demands.

The wait is finally over as international cricket action is set to resume after almost three months after the COVID-19 pandemic brought the gentlemen’s game to a standstill in March.

Check live cricket score, scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary of 1st Test match between England and West Indies on Times of India