Roland Orlando Butcher (born 14 October 1953)[1] is a former cricket player and coach, who played for England in three Test matches and three One Day Internationals from 1980 to 1981.
[3] Butcher came to prominence during Middlesex's successes in 1980 when they won the County Championship and the Gillette Cup, impressing with a rapid half-century in the final of the latter.
In 1983, "he suffered a sickening injury which threatened his eyesight when struck by George Ferris", but managed to recuperate and return to the sport.
[3] He continued to enjoy success with Middlesex, winning the County Championship again in 1982 and 1985, and featuring in victories in the finals of the NatWest Trophy in 1984 and 1988, and the Benson and Hedges Cup in 1983.
[6] Butcher initially agreed to join a rebel tour of South Africa in 1989, led by his county captain Mike Gatting.
[3] As one of only two black players initially named on the tour (alongside Philip DeFreitas, who also withdrew), in the light of the South African system of apartheid, Butcher bore the brunt of much adverse comment.