[citation needed] Cricket correspondent, Colin Bateman, stated Butler was a "burly swing bowler... [and] had every reason to feel let down by England".
Butler's chief merit lay in his accuracy and ability to move the ball off the seam, and vary his length according to the conditions, as shown when he went on his only overseas tour to the West Indies.
However, his career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in India and played two first-class matches.
[1] Apart from 1950, when his bowling brought 95 wickets, the rest of Butler's career was a succession of injuries, and at the beginning of 1954 he was advised by his doctor to retire.
His career wicket taking average of 24.44 was not exceptional, but Trent Bridge pitches were placid compared to other county grounds.