A left-handed batsman and slow left-arm spin bowler, Butler played as an all-rounder for Wellington between 1951 and 1967, scoring 1,396 runs and taking 120 wickets from 53 first class cricket matches.

[1][2] He was also selected for two first-class matches against the Marylebone Cricket Club as part of the New Zealand hosting team in 1961.

He played his first match for Wellington on 1 February 1953, against Auckland at Eden Park as part of the Plunket Shield.

It was not until the 1959/60 series where he enjoyed successful returns with the bat – 190 runs from his five matches came largely from a score of 66*, one of two half centuries during the season.

[5] Butler then only made one appearance in the 1962/63 season, failing to take a wicket and scoring six runs.